Conflicting opinions and information can make choosing the right set of tires for an electric vehicle a challenge. Sailun Tire breaks down the issues by vehicle class so you can easily find the answers you need

In the process of reoptimizing everything they do to transition to electric vehicles, drivers must make adjustments to how they run. Learning about battery health, range capability and regenerative braking are all part of the journey to operating a zero-emission fleet.

Those are the obvious sticking points. But there is an overlooked change that impacts EV performance, without adding a burden on the driver: EV-specific tires.

“As vehicle manufacturers continue to offer additional electric car, truck and SUV options, the need for tires that enhance EV performance, help increase range and deliver a quiet and comfortable driver experience has never been greater,” says David Pulla, manager of national sales at Sailun Tire.

By carefully tracking EV adoption trends and listening to what EV drivers want (and need) from a tire, Sailun Tire has developed a new product: the Erange EV tire.

The Erange tires, available in Canada in early 2023, are made using a proprietary liquid mixing technology (EcoPoint3) that offers low rolling resistance, greater wear resistance and grip and traction — three criteria known as the “magic triangle.”

“The Erange EV is our first dedicated electric vehicle tire, specifically designed, constructed, and tested for EV and hybrid applications,” says Pulla.

“Our trusted products and innovations are designed in North America, for North America. By focusing our efforts on the emerging EV market, we’re a first mover in the EV tire segment.”

The real deal

The question at the heart of the tire debate is: does my EV really need special tires or is this much ado about nothing?

The short answer is no, an EV doesn’t need dedicated tires. But to fully understand the nuances it helps to have a comparable situation.

Imagine you are planning to run a marathon. You already have a pair of adequate court shoes in your closet, or you could go out and buy at notable additional cost, long-distance running shoes.

You could run in your court shoes and more than likely do well enough to finish the marathon. But, if you decide to invest in the most-appropriate-to-the-activity footwear you’d probably find your technique improved, you might gain some run time and finish the race a little faster, or, your body might feel like it endured less wear and tear due to the more tailored support.

These are the same things that happen with EV tires.

In short, Sailun’s Erange tires takes the most important qualities of an EV (regenerative braking, low noise and range) and through sophisticated technology leverages them to enhance the vehicle’s overall performance.

The result is a vehicle that, thanks to the right pair of tires, can go a little farther, a little faster and a little safer.

Economy vehicles and their tires

For the Nissan Leafs, Chevrolet Bolts and Hyundai Kona-level vehicles of the world, buying EV-specific tires will make noticeable differences day-to-day. Even though these types of vehicles aren’t built to be driven for high-performance situations, they still have acceleration and braking that is still more aggressive than combustion vehicles.

EV tires bring important improvements to your driving experience in these around-town vehicles: less cabin noise and more range. Both issues are important to EV drivers who, as a general rule, cherish the silence of their cabins and are always looking for ways to optimize and maximize their range.

The key to these improvements is tread design. Treads on EV-specific tires are crafted to generate less sound than regular tires on combustion vehicles. And that they are purpose-built for EV driving means they will extend the vehicle range by as much as seven per cent.

Performance vehicles and their tires

On the performance vehicle side — think Tesla Model 3, VinFast VF8, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and BMW i4 level cars — EV-specific tires are going to make more of an impact in how the car actually handles.

For the EVs appealing to the market for split-second acceleration and several hundred pounds worth of torque, having a tire purpose-built to support the vehicle’s capabilities is critical.

Treads must be specifically designed for different acceleration and braking wear, while maintaining control and grip in less-than-ideal driving conditions. But drivers don’t want to compromise on performance — that’s why they invested in their high-powered vehicle in the first place.

Performance vehicles will also realize the same added quietness and range enhancing capabilities from EV tires, which, on the longer haul trips these vehicles often take will be an appreciated bonus.

Premium vehicles and their tires

In the luxury aisle that includes Genesis GV60, Polestar 3, Mercedes EQS and Cadillac Lyriq, the benefit of EV tires is largely in the added comfort they bring — a smoother, quieter ride while stretching out the time between recharging stops.

This class of vehicles is usually at the larger end of the passenger vehicle spectrum, with typically longer ranges, extra cabin space, extra rows of seats and plush add-ons that drive up vehicle weight. That’s where EV tires, with their reinforced sidewalls and higher-than-average load bearing capabilities, come into play. EV tires are stronger than combustion vehicle tires in order to stand up to the wear and tear of the added weight of the vehicle. The tires may not last longer than wheels on a comparable combustion vehicle (depending on driving styles), but they will last longer than tires for a combustion vehicle being put onto an EV.

The takeaways

When it comes to choosing tires for your EV it’s far from a simple shopping experience when you weigh out the different issues at play.

More durability, more range, less noise and dedicated technology suited to making sure your EV stays clamped to the road are all important considerations to drivers when they are deciding what makes them (and their families) feel most secure in their vehicle.

The added upfront cost is, of course, a major and perhaps deciding factor. But as with most things related to cost and EVs, it’s not about the price tag on the day but the return on investment over a longer period of time. And it’s often significant. Driving your zero-emission vehicle on EV tires will save you having to charge as much, help prevent wear and tear on your vehicle, optimize its performance — and they don’t need to be replaced as often. Those aspects all have cost savings attached to them, too.

We are proud to say that Sailun’s Erange tires have matched or exceeded the performance of other leading tire brands during testing. The data shows that positive implications for EV drivers that switch to an EV-specific tire — perhaps even an Erange — are meaningful and have a notable impact on the driving experience.

So, sure, you can run a race in court shoes or drive an EV on generic tires. But in both cases: isn’t it worth considering going the extra mile for an even better result?

Visit ErangeTires.com to learn more about the Erange line.