Best Tires For Electric Cars

Since 2010, more than 2.4 million plug-in electric vehicle (EV) have been sold in the U.S., according to Bankrate, and 2022 sales have hit record highs, despite inventory struggles, says CoxAuto, whose brands include Kelly Blue Book and Autotrader. 

If you're among those millions of new plug-in EV drivers – or you're thinking of going electric – you'll have questions about the best replacement tires for electric vehicles. Do you need special tires for EVs? Do EV tires cost more than gas-powered vehicle tires? 

We recently wrote about noise-reduction tires and why they are better for EVs. Spoiler alert: Most electric and hybrid vehicles are nearly silent, and experienced EV owners want quiet tires. Tap or click here to check out our post about the quietest tires.

Before we get into your best tire for electric cars, let’s talk about electric vehicles and if they need special tires.

Do Electric Vehicles Need Special Tires?

There are a few reasons why EVs need what you might consider “special” tires. The first is the extra weight of EVs. That's right: EVs are heavier than gas vehicles. Batteries are heavy.

Since electric vehicles are heavier than conventional vehicles, the tire industry is adapting. High-load capacity tires, referred to as HL, are a new type of tire. These models have a greater load capacity at the same tire pressure as conventional tires.

On top of being heavier, EVs also accelerate faster with more power, which requires lower rolling resistance. On-demand torque in an EV also requires better traction. That's because their tires cause more friction during initial acceleration. EV-specific tires are designed to maximize grip and lessen wear.

Finally, we get to noise. With nearly silent EVs, their tires need to be built to minimize road noise. Having standard tires on an electric vehicle could make for an uncomfortable ride. 

Standard tires are louder when rolling over the surface of a road, which is normally masked by the sound of your engine. That’s not the case with EVs, which is why you want tires designed to be quieter.

Depending on your vehicle, different tire recommendations will best suit your needs. Let’s look at tire recommendations for Audi, BMW, Chevy, Hyundai, Tesla and more EV models.

Do EV Tires Cost More?

Yes and no. As you know from driving gas vehicles, you can spend under $100 on a budget tire and well over $1,000 for super high performance, luxury vehicle tires. EV tires start around $120 for budget tires, and average around $250 to $350 per tire for mid-range to high performance premium tires. Because of what we mentioned above about EVs being heavier than gas vehicles, expect to pay more. Heavier vehicles require tires that can support their weight, which means more rubber compounds. More rubber compounds cost more.

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Best tires for electric cars

Best tires for Audi e-tron 

For your Audi e-tron, check out Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive tires. This model is designed for a quiet ride with an innovative noise-reducing tread pattern. This model is one of the best ev tires out there!

Prices range from $185 to $350 per tire across all tire brands.* 

Best tires for BMW i3

Bridgestone Ecopia EP500 tires provide eco-friendly performance through higher fuel efficiency and safety. They allow for reduced rolling resistance, enhancing "fuel" efficiency, which in this case is the miles per gallon equivalent, or MPGe (referring to kilowatt hours).

Across all brands, prices start around $225 per tire for the BMW i3. 

Best tires for Chevy Bolt EV LT

The M+S-rated Ironman iMOVE GEN2 AS provides even wear, a longer tread life, and all-season dependability thanks to its next-generation wear-resistant compound and sophisticated pressure distribution concept. This tire offers superior responsiveness in slippery conditions by maximizing water evacuation to lower hydroplane risk. 

Ironman's iMove start around $112 and up. You'll find a wide range of tire brand and models for the Chevy Bolt EV, ranging from around $110 to $280. 

Best tires for Hyundai Ioniq Electric SE

Thanks to an innovative tread pattern that provides increased grip and responsiveness in slick conditions, the Ironman GR 906 offers excellent handling in adverse weather. This tire is designed with an all-season touring compound and offers reduced rolling resistance, stability, and a smooth ride. It has tread features that reduce noise and promote stability, along with high-density siping that improves grip in the rain and snow.

Ironman GR 906 starts well under $100, plus you'll find a lot of options from other manufacturers starting in the $100 to $200 range. 

Best tires for Nissan Leaf

The Kumho Solus TA11 is an all-season tire designed for long life and optimized tread for wet conditions. The rounded shoulder design maintains constant contact with the road's surface, making for excellent handling and responsive steering. Price ranges for Nissan Leaf tires start at a budget friendly $88 up to around $250 per tire.  

Best tires for Kia Niro EV EX

Goodyear Assurance all-season tires offer superior traction in wet, dry and snowy conditions. Wide tread grooves help evacuate water and slush for enhanced traction. Its optimized tread patterns provide a quieter ride with reduced road noise. 

As far as pricing goes, expect to pay around $105 to $237 for Niro EV tires, with the Goodyear Assurance all-season tires coming in around the middle (starting around $168 per tire).  

Best tires for Tesla Models S, 3 and Y

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tire is perfect for summer driving and one of the best electric car tires. It offers outstanding grip, steering precision and control, even at high speeds. These tires overcome the typical tradeoff of wear for grip and offer excellent traction and increased tread life. Pilot Sport 4 S starts around $245 per tire.

Are you looking for a great winter tire? The Pirelli Scorpion Winter is a good choice. These tires are designed with a focus on maximum stability and control in snow, wet and dry conditions. They combine exceptional braking and handling with low noise and rolling resistance. Scorpion winter tires start around $308 per tire.

If you want an all-season tire for your Tesla, look no further than YOKOHAMA Parada Spec-X. Its directional tread design delivers superior handling and wet traction capability. Advanced construction offers a quieter ride and longer tread life, and excellent performance in all conditions. Paradas start around $261 per tire.

*Price estimates are as of July 2022 and subject to change. Shop now and save. Check out our deals page for the latest rebates, coupons and offers. Tire prices listed on Tire Agent are for tires only; we do not install tires. However, we do ship anywhere in the U.S. for free, including several tire installers near you. We can help you find a tire installer near you during the checkout process.