Posted on 05/03/2023 1:33:25 PM PDT by Jacquerie
One of the biggest perks of electric vehicles (EVs) is that they’re low-maintenance. They never need oil changes, and the electric motors and battery packs are relatively maintenance-free. However, the rubber keeping it on the road is one of the costliest maintenance items for an EV.
EV tires can already be hard to find at an affordable price, but a low rubber supply this year has made that task even more difficult.
Here’s everything you need to know about EV tires.
Why Do EVs Need Special Tires?
Electric vehicles are heavier than their gas-powered counterparts. An extreme example is the mighty GMC Hummer EV Pickup, which tips the scales at 9,063 pounds. That’s about double the weight of a traditional, gas-powered, full-size pickup truck. EVs require special tires that can support the extra weight.
EVs Are Heavier Than Gas Cars
Why are EVs so much heavier than gas cars? Well, an electric powertrain weighs more than a gas powertrain. For example, the Nissan Leaf is about 1,000 pounds heavier than the Nissan Versa, even though they’re about the same size.
Gas engines aren’t exactly light, but they are when compared to heavy electric motors and batteries that power EVs. That weight adds up if an EV has multiple motors and a larger battery pack for extended range and optimal performance.
Tire Size Can Affect Range
If you look at range estimates for EVs like the Tesla Model S, you’ll see that the range and efficiency ratings can vary depending on the wheels. According to the EPA data, the Model S Plaid with 19-inch wheels has a 396-mile range, but the same car with 21-inch wheels only has a 348-mile range.
(Excerpt) Read more at kbb.com ...
This EV stuff is BS. I went to look at electric lawn mowers and about fell over...$700 and UP for something that might run 50 minutes. What a crock.
This is crazy. Add weight to a vehicle simply to use a more ineffecient fuel.
once they go full green energy
electricity will be scarce and expensive
discussions about the viability of evs
are moot
most will be on public transportation
On a good day, perhaps.
“. $700 and UP for something that might run 50 minutes.”
Not only that, but the battery also has to cool down for about 30 minutes, before the charger will let you charge. Then 180 minutes before you have a fully charged battery. What a crock.
They’re trying to make us like China where most people will be riding bikes or scooters . And all the illegals pouring in will be their source of cheep labor to work all the China owned companies.
“most will be on public transportation”
Not me, I intend to be carried around on a litter by my harem of female bodyguards.
F=MA will not be denied.
Bought a Greenworks 12" chainsaw, last year, just to have in the vehicle, to cut firewood that I get at work.
No odor of fuel in the vehicle.
Zips right through 6-8" oak beams and good battery life.
Bought a Greenworks weed whacker, last year and it's done well.
Next will be a circular saw.
That said, their niche is limited, but, they can be handy.
I’m an Engineer. One thing no one ever mentions is the effect these heavier electric vehicles will have on our existing infrastructure. Parking garages, bridges, culverts and even roadways are designed for regular gas powered vehicles. Electric vehicles are heavier than gas powered vehicles. As the article states in some cases twice as heavy. At some point the extra loads on our infrastructure will cause more stress, strain and fatigue leading to a more rapid failure of our structures. Think about it. The top floor of a parking garage is designed for a certain dead load relating to gas powered vehicles. You fill that parking floor with heavier EV’s, it is going to fail at some point. Same with bridges. You get a traffic jam and all that extra weight of EV’s sitting on a bridge, you are looking at a possible catastrophe. Yes, I know concrete and steel design has factors of safety in their calculations but are the safety factors high enough to account for the extra forces from the loads from technology that was not known 30-49 years ago?
I have family members who are long term EV owners. They are big fans but it begins with their concept of a vehicle that says they don’t pollute. That is another matter. On tires, the tires they use are expensive and not readily available in every little town or tire store.
Number two, because of the weight and low center of gravity these vehicles are stable but that stability eats tires. These Tesla vehicles get 12,500 to 25,000 from a set of tires max based upon what they tell me. Part of this is fast handling low aspect tires. But I would always get the expensive Pirelli or the like with the mileage warranty and keep them properly inflated and balanced because you will need to use the warranty replacement or pay about $1,000 a set plus tax and mounting.
Another factor not mentioned is that manufacturers are required to install tires that have speed ratings that are compatible with the top speed potential of the vehicle, even if you never drive that fast. The Tesla Plaid comes with tires rated for 186+ MPH. You can expect to pay $500 or more per tire.
But EVs are powered entirely by rainbows and unicorn farts.
My wife and I bought our EV crossover 10 months ago and have put 22K miles onto it. And I haven't had to replace the tires yet. I'm surprised, to be honest. I anticipated more frequent tire replacements. It weighs 4,200-4,400 lbs. The ICE crossover it replaced weighed 3,900 lbs.
Maybe the EV's stock tires are more durable. Or maybe the extra 300-500 lbs isn't that big an issue. Or maybe the EV's battery makes the tires not wear as much by spreading the curb weight more evenly. Or maybe doing most deceleration with regen braking is somehow better for the tires. I dunno. I just know that at 22K miles I haven't had to replace the tires yet.
I regularly change my cars oil every few thousand miles . I even change the oil in my lawn mower.
If you put spinner rims on an EV, will the charge themselves?
Muammar Khadaffi rolled that way ...
Another issue is used EVs. How often must the battery be replaced since over time, its ability to hold a charge is degraded?
Discussions will be illegal.
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