# Why is buying EV replacement tires so hard and frustrating? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 16, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664 "2022-12-16T19:31:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2022, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/21 "2022-12-16T23:43:51Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > This seems kind of paradoxical to me. I would think “low rolling resistance” means “less friction between tire and road”, and “grippy” would be just the opposite. How does it do both? The tire and road surface meet at the contact patch. The surfaces generally should not slide, unless something has gone wrong. You want them to grip and stay connected to each other as the tire rolls along the road, constantly changing the contact patch. Tire Rack has a filter you can apply for “EV tuned” tires. Hopefully this link takes you to that list, in your tire size. [https://m.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?filtering=true&width=245%2F&ratio=45&diameter=19#allTitle](https://m.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?filtering=true&width=245%2F&ratio=45&diameter=19#allTitle) I can’t vouch for their EV tires, but I’ve been using them for years. I have the tires shipped to the installer I use. I have found tires there that neither the dealer or installer could get. And I’ve never had a problem with them. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/22 "2022-12-17T13:52:05Z")
> [@jharvey963](#): > > I wanted: more miles, quiet ride, no reduction in miles per charge, some ability in light snow. They specified a summer-rated tire that would reduce my miles per charge. Sounds like the NASA dilemma: faster, cheaper, better, chose 2. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/23 "2022-12-18T00:29:14Z")
Thanks for the advice everyone. I’ve now ordered tires after consulting with TireRack. The key turned out to be the “EV tuned” attribute. After chatting with Steve at TireRack, I decided on the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus Elect in 245/45R19. - These tires have the “Pirelli Noise Cancelling System”, which is foam in the tire to quiet the sound. - The “EV Tuned” refers to low rolling resistance. - The load rating is 102Y, which is higher than the OEM tires which were 98W. - They are rated for 50,000 miles J. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/24 "2022-12-18T00:36:46Z")
Another vote for Pirellis. We installed the same on my wife’s Tesla Model X mid 2022 and they have been pretty good. We got them at Discount Tires which in my opinion is better than Costco. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/25 "2022-12-18T07:45:32Z")
Heartily agree. I’ve been going there for years and they are great. Here in California they’re known as America’s Tire. > Discount Tire / America’s Tire / Discount Tire Direct, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the world’s largest tire and wheel retailer. The company does business under the trade name Discount Tire in most of the U.S., America’s Tire in parts of California, and Discount Tire Direct for direct online sales. > **[About Us – Discount Tire Family](https://www.discounttirefamily.com/about-us/)** ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/26 "2022-12-18T16:20:52Z")
Ummm. Why wouldn’t people want less noise, good traction, less rolling resistance for an ICE car? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/27 "2022-12-18T16:37:46Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Why wouldn’t people want less noise, good traction, less rolling resistance for an ICE car? EVs are quieter, so lower noise is more noticeable than in an ICE car. Lower rolling resistance directly relates to MPG, which is typically higher on the list of important items on an EV buyer’s list than for an ICE buyer. It’s beneficial to any car, but perhaps not more valued. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/28 "2022-12-18T17:35:21Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Ummm. Why wouldn’t people want less noise, good traction, less rolling resistance for an ICE car? Another factor is weight. EVs are heavy due to battery weight and require a stronger tire (the load rating). This is going to cost more. While you might want the strongest tire possible even for an ICE car, you’d be paying for a dubious increase in perceived safety. Just stick with a recommended tire for your vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/29 "2022-12-18T18:18:14Z")
What makes a tire more capable of load bearing? I could see extra plies which would also make it stiffer – rolling resistance down, harsher ride up – but are there other techniques? I imagine noise it mostly the tread design. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/30 "2022-12-19T04:54:33Z")
Not much to add, but I’ll note that in my experience any milage rating is a figure pulled right out of someone’s asshole. I generally get about half. Yes, I drive fast up and down mountains, but come on. I’d burn through Michelin’s and Continentals at the same rate as Kumho’s, and they were half to a third of the price. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/31 "2022-12-19T07:28:53Z")
Whatever you get, be aware of the mileage warranty. It’s saved me hundreds on tires for my EV, because they only last about 20,000 miles, but might have a mileage guarantee of 40,000. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/32 "2022-12-22T16:17:59Z")
If you are confused about why EV tires are different, Ars Technica just came out with an explanatory article: > **[Here’s why electric vehicles need EV-specific tires](https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/12/heres-why-electric-vehicles-need-ev-specific-tires/)** > > The differences between ICE vehicles and EVs go all the way down to the tarmac. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/33 "2022-12-22T17:02:42Z")
Thank you to all of you for explaining the difference. SDMB is very informative, as usual. Appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/34 "2022-12-22T17:39:01Z")
EV tires often have an inner liner of sound-absorbing foam. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/35 "2022-12-22T17:41:34Z")
Perhaps already mentioned, but manufacturers often equip cars with cheaper, reduced-tread tires. The OP could have ordered the same model and size tire as the OEM tires, and that 2nd set would last a lot longer than the original set. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2022, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664/36 "2022-12-24T17:51:35Z")
Interesting video covering electric car tire design. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8pM9o2Ifcro/maxresdefault.jpg "Everything You Need To Know About Electric Car Tires") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pM9o2Ifcro) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664.md?page=1)