The Unexpected Problem With EVs: They 'Tire' Quickly
Some electric vehicle owners are finding themselves in the market for new tires sooner than they would be with a gas-powered vehicle.
EVs burn through tires 30% faster than combustible engine cars thanks to hefty weights and speedy acceleration, according to Bridgestone, which this week unveiled a new tire developed specifically for electric vehicles. Dubbed the Turanza EV, it starts at $289, depending on tire size. It's now available at Bridgestone retailers in the US and Canada and at sites like TireRack.com(Opens in a new window).
“The Turanza EV is the answer to the most common question my team gets: What tires do you recommend for an EV?” a Bridgestone rep said at this weekend's Electrify Expo in Long Beach, California. "People love their EVs but not the tires, so we see an opportunity to deliver a product that can fulfill needs for those consumers."
The company projects 30% of new vehicles will be electric by the end of the decade.
Bridgestone's new Enliten technology aims to solve the wear-and-tear problem. Tires also affect range, so Bridgestone developed a new polymer, called PeakLife, that reduces rolling resistance. A QuietTrack tread design also tackles road noise; the Turanza EV takes inspiration from the company's touring tire line, which aims to keep road noise at a minimum.
“A 2017-19 Tesla has been around long enough to see the wear show," says Josh Bulrice of Bridgestone marketing. "People are...looking for their next option based on what they’ve learned during their ownership. Treadwear is a constant conversation."
Increased tire wear can also contribute to air quality issues. In Oslo, Norway, where electric vehicles make two-thirds of registered vehicles but a higher proportion of traffic, the "air
Read more on pcmag.com
