Do Electric and Hybrid Cars Need Different Tyres?

We all know electric and hybrid cars are different from their more traditional petrol and diesel counterparts. There’s the obvious difference in battery for one - but what about when it comes to tyres - do electric and hybrid cars need different tyres?

Legally speaking, electric and hybrid cars do not need to use specific tyres. However, sticking to your old tyres may end up doing more harm than good. Electric and hybrid cars should opt for tyres that are heavier, quieter, and offer specific types of sidewalls to ensure they perform at their best. Tyres designed specifically for EV or hybrid vehicles offer improved performance and longevity for those types of vehicle. 

But why is heavier, quieter, and sidewall(ier) better for electric and hybrid cars? Let’s break it down.

Electric and hybrid tyres are heavier

The biggest difference you’ll find with electric and hybrid tyres is that they are heavier than traditional tyres. This is because the tyres need to be able to accommodate the extra weight that electric and hybrid vehicles have thanks to the sizeable battery inside them.

A normal car battery typically weighs in at around 18kg, while the average electric car battery is around 454kg - a whole 25 times heavier! That’s a whole lot of extra strain on your car’s tyres, which is why electric and hybrid tyres are a lot heavier too to ensure they can take the weight.

You can work out how much weight your car tyres can take by knowing its load index, which is displayed as a number printed on the tyre. A tyre with a load index of 65 can hold a maximum load of 290kg, while a load index of 100 can hold 800kg. As such, electric and hybrid tyres will have a higher load index to ensure they can hold the weight of the car effectively.

Electric and hybrid tyres are quieter

One of the first things electric car drivers notice when they first drive is just how much quieter everything runs, which is one of the many reasons people are opting for them. This is largely the result of not needing an engine, which is typically the culprit for noisy cars.

However, when you remove an engine, you might be surprised at just how noisy your car’s tyres can be as well! The noise of your tyres is often masked over the sound of a whirring engine, but once it’s removed it’s a lot easier to hear your tyres grind and roll as you drive around.

To help counter this, electric and hybrid car tyres are made with noise reduction in mind. There are various ways this can be done but most often, a foam inlay is set within the tyre, as well as additional rubber.

Electric and hybrid tyres use different sidewalls

All tyres have sidewalls - they’re the part of the tyre that helps ensure the tyre remains attached to the rim when moving.

Many electric and hybrid tyres use very specific sidewalls, though - often made with the extra weight in mind to help absorb the additional strain electric and hybrid cars can place on the tyre.

The sidewall is also where your tyres load index can be found, as well as plenty of other useful information about your tyre.

For quality tyres look no further than the experts

Be it traditional, electric, or hybrid, we know a thing or two about tyres here at Kwik Fit. That’s why our team of experts are always on hand to help ensure your car performs at its best with tyres that work for you and your car.

For more information, check out our tyre availability by simply popping in your car’s number plate. Alternatively, locate and contact your local Kwik Fit Centre today.