Myth:
Because electric vehicles are heavier than their ICE equivalents, their tyres wear our much faster, making them more expensive to run.
Fact:
It’s true that an EV is about 30 percent heavier than an ICE vehicle, and that its tyres can wear out up to 20 percent faster. But weight is not the only factor affecting the life of a set of tyres. Others include acceleration rates, frequency of braking, and how fast the car takes bends and corners. A careful driver will have tyres that last a lot longer than an incautious one.
That said, we can calculate how much extra an EV owner would have to pay if his/her tyres wore out at the maximum rate (20 percent faster). A set of tyres in Australia lasts on average five years, and a standard set for an EV costs $540 (at 2024 prices). If those tyres lasted four years instead of five, then the extra cost would be $33.75 a year. This is a pittance compared with the savings to be made with an EV via lower fuel and maintenance costs.
So, this myth is just that – a complete furphy.
The author’s EV, parked outside his garage. It is no bigger or heavier than a standard SUV. [Source: Ken Enderby]