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).

Bridgestone debuting the new tire at Electrify Expo.
(Credit: Emily Dreibelbis)

“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.

Close-up view of the Turanza EV tire.
(Credit: Emily Dreibelbis)

Bridgestone hears from EV drivers is excessive wear and tear on their tires, which the company’s new Enliten technology aims to solve. 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.”

Turanza EV tire
(Credit: Emily Dreibelbis)

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 has unhealthy levels of microscopic particles generated partly by the abrasion of tires and asphalt,” The New York Times reports(Opens in a new window).

In developing the Turanza, Bridgestone tested it on the most popular EVs: The full Tesla lineup (the Model 3, S, X, and Y), as well as the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It now offers five sizes for these vehicles, with 13 additional sizes launching in early 2024, says Bridgestone.

The new tire contains 50% renewable and recycled materials. The manufacturing process also uses a “synthetic rubber associated with recycled plastic, helping keep more used plastics out of landfills and the environment,” Bridgestone says.

Continental(Opens in a new window) also developed an EV-specific tire, which it calls the EcoContact 6. And Michelin(Opens in a new window) recommends specific tires for EVs. All three companies—Bridgestone, Continental, and Michelin—cite the importance of reducing wear, minimizing road noise, and protecting range.