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Electric vehicle tyres are designed to complement the characteristics of electric motors and improve range and handling.
With the dramatic increase in sustainable transportation in recent years, sales in electric vehicles (EV) have skyrocketed – now accounting for a quarter of all new registrations. Alongside this increase, then, comes an increase in demand for the right tyres to match the different characteristics of these greener vehicles.
Electric vehicle tyres at your local Kwik Fit centre
Your local Kwik Fit stocks a wide range of tyres for all vehicle types. What’s more, most models that aren’t immediately available can be ordered to the centre within a day.
Looking for EV tyres? Look for this icon when searching for tyres.
Still unsure? Why not book a free tyre check and our technicians will inspect your tyres and let you know which tyres are suitable for your vehicle.
Why do electric vehicles need different tyres?
While a number of electric vehicles look identical to their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, EVs are on average 20-30% heavier. This is because of the large lithium ion battery banks that are necessary to store the power that runs the motor.
This extra weight is borne primarily by the tyres.
What differences are needed for EV tyres?
Accounting for extra weight creates a fine line to tread between making the tyres themselves as lightweight as possible while maintaining strength and integrity, and making their rolling resistance as low as possible while also ensuring crucial grip.
The weight of the tyres impacts the total weight of the vehicle and, because the motor is turning the wheels primarily, having weightier tyres increases the startup force needed to get them moving. But, at the same time, it’s important to have enough physical rubber there to withstand an extra load – that’s why 4x4 tyres and motorhome tyres tend to be so bulky.
EV tyres also usually come with noise reduction technology for a quieter ride. Without the noise from a standard combustion engine to drown out road noise, the tyres on an EV would be noticeably louder if they did not employ sound dampening technology in the form of a foam layer bonded to the inside of the tyre. This layer of sponge absorbs vibrations from the road so that they do not pass through to the cabin.
The other main factor of the tyres, the rolling resistance, is crucial for maintaining grip on the road – but the more that the tyres grip the road, the less the range of the vehicle can be.
Compare it to an ICE vehicle: if you have tyres that grip the road more, you’ll need to use more fuel to keep the car going – but you’ll want tyres that have enough grip to come safely to a stop when you need to. With an ICE vehicle, the extra fuel use can be counterbalanced by the safety benefits and the fact that you can refuel in a matter of minutes.
With an EV, tyre manufacturers must account for the inconvenience that frequent, en-route charging causes – with a full recharge still taking hours.
Can I fit non-EV tyres to my EV?
While you certainly can fit non-EV tyres to your EV vehicle, manufacturer research results suggest that doing so could be decreasing a vehicle’s range by up to 20%!
At Kwik Fit, we recommend replacing EV tyres with a like-for-like tyre; that is, the same tyre that your vehicle was fitted with from new or one which is specified by your vehicle manufacturer as Original Equipment (or OE) or as close as possible in specification for the vehicle.
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
0800 75 76 77 You can reach our customer care team 6 days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Monday and Thursday, 8:30am to 6:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Bank Holidays.
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Select Tyre Size
Front Tyre Size
Rear Tyre Size
We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
Please select your front and rear tyre size before clicking 'Continue'.
We have identified the tyre size(s) that may fit your {VEHICLE}. Please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking 'Continue'.
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Please note: There is a slope that the vehicle must be driven up to reach the vehicle ramp at this centre. This may prevent us from being able to work on some high-performance vehicles, Tesla vehicles or vehicles that have been lowered. If your vehicle has low ground clearance, please contact the centre team on 01342 314 111 before booking.
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Centres do not open until 10:00 on bank holidays. If choosing an earlier appointment time on a bank holiday, please bring your vehicle to centre at 10:00 rather than the time shown.