A famous mechanic explained why electric cars wear out tires so quickly, even though they are very expensive
7 hours ago | Petr Prokopec
Photo: Tesla
In 15 years of operation, you can pay the full price of a new Tesla once again only on constant tire changes, nothing else. This is pretty cruel, but there are physical reasons for it that simply cannot be bypassed.
Last week we wrote about other inconveniences in the life of electric car owners. Especially for Rivian customers, their already expensive lives with electric cars keep getting more expensive, as some of them wear out after less than 10,000 kilometers. This is a really ridiculous portion during normal driving, which of course leads to a significant increase in operating costs. They are caused not only by frequent changes, but also by the size of the shoes, as the car manufacturer is already counting on 20-inch tires. At the same time, a set of four black barrels with the Pirelli logo costs $1,400 (approx.
Famous auto mechanic Scotty Kilmer confirms in his latest video that rapid tire wear is inherent in all electric cars. One of the reasons is their much higher weight, which in itself leads to greater load and wear. In addition, we also have higher performance, which many owners treat relatively imprudently and accelerate and decelerate too intensively, even if there is no reason for it.
Kilmer also considers another advantage of electric cars to be a problem for tire life, namely the slightly lower requirements for regular service inspections. This saves money, but as a result, there is usually no regular rotation of the tires. That is, to transfer the rear axle to the front axle and vice versa. The wear and tear is always different, in the end the experiences of Rivian owners described above are telling.
According to experts, tires should be rotated after 12,000 to 15,000 km. In our region, it is often replaced by changing from summer tires to winter tires, or vice versa, when the less worn pair is used for a more heavily loaded axle during the next change. This ensures an extension of their service life, not everywhere and not in everything, but they change tires according to the season. So if electric car owners want to achieve the same, regular tire rotation is inevitable for them. Especially if they choose year-round footwear.
Even so, you have to be prepared for higher bills, among other things due to better sound insulation. In order for electric car owners to be able to enjoy the promised silence, tire manufacturers had to approach a somewhat different design. It also includes a damping material that increases comfort in the vehicle. Of course, it’s not free, you have to pay for it. The same applies to the efforts of manufacturers to minimize rolling resistance, and therefore to reduce the consumption of eternally insufficient energy while maintaining maximum grip of the footwear. It also requires a specific approach to construction and choice of materials. Again, neither is free.
That’s why electric car tires are so expensive, yet last less. According to Kilmer, it is theoretically possible to replace the tires designed for electric cars with standard ones, but even that won’t help you much. Their construction does not take into account higher loads, as well as higher performance. The tires will therefore wear out even faster, and due to the absence of that special damping layer, you will be confronted with higher noise levels. In the case of buying an electric car, you have to take into account higher costs for shoes anyway.
In addition, the expert also points to other expenses associated with electromobility, i.e., for example, the replacement of batteries, which will inevitably need to be done one fine day. So if you expect that the electric car should be your only means of transport, calculate the theoretical costs in advance. Just changing tires more often, which people who buy electric cars for 3 million crowns or more complain about, can slowly ruin an ordinary person.
One can only add a note that Kilmer directs at Tesla. According to his findings, it uses tires with stiffer sidewalls, which have more durability. But even so, they break down faster than with internal combustion cars, and their replacement can cost up to USD 1,300 (CZK 29,000). If you access it twice a year, then in 15 years you will spend the same as the entire Model 3 currently costs (40,240 USD/886,000 crowns) just for shoes. And that pays off, doesn’t it?
Electric cars generally wear out tires much faster than combustion cars, due to their higher weight and power. In addition, they are more expensive due to their specific construction. This is a priceless combination, almost literally here. Photo: Tesla
Source: Scotty Kilmer@YouTub
Petr Prokopec
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2023-08-21 15:17:26
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