Electric vehicle sales continue to grow in the U.S., hitting 1.6 million in 2023 (Source: Marketwatch), and as their popularity grows, so does the demand for replacement tires for these EVs.
If you’re among those millions of new plug-in EV drivers – or you’re thinking of going electric – you’ll have questions about the best replacement tires for electric vehicles. Do you need special tires for EVs? Do EV tires cost more than gas-powered vehicle tires?
If you’d like to skip the tutorial on EV tires and get right to finding the right replacement tire for your vehicle, select Shop Tires and Wheels from any page, enter your vehicle’s information (make, model, year and trim level) and we’ll match you with the right tires. You’ll find hundreds of options, which you can filter based on what matters most to you: price, brand, warranty, tread time, fuel economy and more.
Before we get into your best tire options, let’s talk about electric vehicles and why they require special tires.
There are three reasons why EVs require what might be considered “special” tires:
With nearly silent EV engines, their tires need to be built to minimize road noise. Having standard tires on an electric vehicle could make for an uncomfortable ride.
Standard tires are louder when rolling over the surface of a road, which is normally masked by the sound of your engine. That’s not the case with EVs, which is why you want tires designed to be quieter.
Batteries are heavy.
As Kelly Blue Book explains, an EV battery can weigh between 1,000 to 2,900+ pounds, depending on the vehicle. Compared that to a full 13-gallon fuel tank, which weighs about 78 pounds, you can see why tire load rating is a key factor in selecting tires for electric vehicles.
Because electric vehicles are growing in popularity and heavier than conventional vehicles, the tire industry is adapting. High-load capacity tires are a new type of tire. These models have a greater load capacity at the same tire pressure as conventional tires.
In addition to being heavier, EVs accelerate faster with more power, which requires lower rolling resistance. On-demand torque in an EV requires better traction. That’s because their tires cause more friction during initial acceleration. EV-specific tires are designed to maximize grip and lessen wear.
Yes and no. As you know from driving gas vehicles, you can spend under $100 on a budget tire and well over $1,000 for super high performance, luxury vehicle tires. EV tires start around $120 for budget tires, and start around $250 to $350 per tire for mid-range to high performance premium tires. Because of what we mentioned above about EVs being heavier than gas vehicles, expect to pay more. Heavier vehicles require tires that can support their weight, which means more rubber compounds. More rubber compounds cost more.
If noise reduction is your priority, check out Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive tires. This model is designed for a quiet ride with an innovative noise-reducing tread pattern. Perfect for electric vehicles!
Prices range from $174 to $288 per tire.*
The P Zero All Season Plus Elect is the EV version of Pirelli’s top-line all-season performance tire for passenger cars. On the plus side, it’s rated for snow and ice, as well as maximum handling on roads in all sorts of weather conditions. Noteworthy are the horizontal shoulder sipes and outer blocks for enhanced cornering and grip, and circumferential grooves for high water expulsion.
This tire is packed with technology, and a price tag to reflect its outstanding high performance among tires in this category. Hankook’s iON evo IK01 and IK01A SUV check all the boxes that matter to EV drivers: noise-proof technology with Hankook Sound Absorber, reduced rolling resistance for longer battery range, longer tread life, enhanced handling, and Aramid Hybrid Reinforcement Belt for improved steering performance at highway speeds.
Price range $263 to $354 per tire.*
Goodyear introduced its ElectricDrive line in 2021 with the ElectricDrive GT, one of the first replacement tires made specifically for electric vehicles in North America. ElectricDrive GT SCT is an all-season performance tire with a 40,000-mile warranty, while the ElectricDrive SCT is an all-season touring tire with a 60,000-mile warranty.
Prices for SCT starts at $211 per tire and for the GT SCT at $233 per tire.*
Michelin designed its Pilot Sport EV tire for high performance electric vehicles. Expect exceptional handling, acceleration, braking and road-noise reduction in the Pilot Sport EV. Michelin infuses its rubber compounds with acoustic technology, a polyurethane foam that helps muffle road noise.
Price starts at $357 per tire.*
Radar offers a budget-friendly all-season touring tire for electric vehicles with its All Season EV. Noteworthy is the Stabiload compound for reduced rolling resistance and Ultrareact sidewall construction. The tire also includes a tread that reduces road noise and increases comfort. Add to that a 40,000-mile warranty and road hazard protection, and this is a good tire for the price.
Price starts at $118 per tire.*
Don’t sacrifice quality for price. Tire Agent offers numerous ways to pay, offering flexible options to suit your situation. Explore Tire Agent’s tire payment options.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 EV is a studded winter tire with three-peak mountain snowflake rating that’s ideal for EVs and hybrids. It’s available in a variety of sizes, 18” to 21”.
Price starts at $118 per tire.*
Continental TrueContact Tour 54 isn’t built specifically for electric vehicles, but Continental built these tires to carry the loads and deliver the performance that EV drivers expect. From the impressive load index to the wow-worthy warranty (80,000 miles) and the wide variety of sizes, this tire is a serious contender.
Price starts at $132 per tire.*
*Prices per tire are estimates and subject to change. Tire prices fluctuate daily. For the most accurate price, click the product link, and select your tire size. Prices also do not reflect current offers, rebates, and deals.
ID 326145017 | Atcharapun Samorn | Dreamstime.com