EV’s Tire-Burning Nightmare?

🚫 The Tire-Burning Claims

The internet is rife with FUD about EVs and tire wear, especially targeting Teslas. Here’s what the skeptics are saying, in their own words or paraphrased:

• EV owners might need new tires yearly, and their heavy weight damages roads exponentially (X).
• Tesla’s battery weight increases tire-related environmental impact by 30% compared to gas cars (X).
• Heavy EVs wear out roads and driveways twice as fast, leaving double the tire and brake pollution in waterways (X).
• The 1,000-lb battery pack in EVs causes more tire wear and tear, requiring frequent replacements (X).
• EVs’ extreme weight and instant power make them wear through tires and roads faster (The Drive).

The narrative is clear: EVs like Teslas burn through tires faster than gas cars due to their instant torque and heavier battery packs. Critics claim EV owners will spend thousands more on tires, cause environmental damage, and wear out roads faster. But are these claims grounded in reality, or are they just another anti-EV myth? Let’s dig into the facts, evaluate the cost concerns, and debunk this tire-burning misconception.

⚡ Instant Torque: A Thrill With a Catch

One of the most exhilarating aspects of driving an EV is the instant torque—hit the accelerator, and you’re launched forward like a rocket, sometimes leaving a bit of rubber on the road. That seamless power delivery makes EVs like Teslas a thrill to drive. However, that same capability can lead to faster tire wear if you’re heavy on the pedal. It’s not unique to EVs—any high-performance gas car, like a Dodge Charger with 500 horsepower, will chew through tires just as quickly in the hands of an enthusiastic driver. Teslas simply make spirited driving more tempting with their smooth, effortless acceleration. Ultimately, tire wear comes down to how you drive, not the fact that it’s an EV.

The notion that instant torque causes excessive tire wear is largely a relic of early EVs, which often lacked refined traction control and driving modes. Today’s EVs come equipped with advanced features—like Tesla’s Chill Mode—that reduce tire wear by deliberately toning down performance and acceleration to prevent excessive wheel spin. While some sources suggest EV tires may wear out up to 20% faster than those on ICE vehicles due to torque and weight, this claim is often exaggerated and only holds true when using standard tires, driving aggressively, or comparing EVs to non-performance gas cars (Cars.com, Caliber Auto Care). With EV-specific tires and mindful habits, any difference in wear is minimal.

🏋️‍♂️ Weight: Not the Tire-Killer You Think

EVs are generally heavier than comparable gas cars due to their battery packs, but the difference is negligible in most cases. What matters isn’t just the weight, but the pressure on the tires.

A heavier car with wider tires will have the same ground pressure as a lighter car with narrower tires, meaning the impact on tire wear is often overstated. Below are comparisons of Tesla models and comparable vehicles. Note that all weights are approximate and can vary substantially depending on trim or features for most vehicles. It’s important that you choose tires rated for the weight of your vehicle.

Tesla Model 3 vs. Similar Sedans

Tesla Model S vs. Similar Sedans

Tesla Model Y vs. Similar SUVs

Tesla Model X vs. Larger SUVs

The weight difference between EVs and comparable gas cars is negligible. The Model 3 weighs a little less than an Audi S5, while the Model Y matches a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or BMW X3, and the Model S is identical to a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Larger EVs like the Model X are heavier, of course, but so are many gas-powered SUVs. At the end of the day, tire wear isn’t about weight or torque—it’s about your driving style, tire choice, and road conditions.

📊 Real-World Proof: My Tesla Model 3 vs. Dodge Charger

In my family’s experience, with our driving habits, we’ve seen how tire choice impacts wear on our 2019 Dodge Charger and 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range—and the results might surprise you. Generally speaking, OEM tires aren’t the best for longevity. On our Charger, the OEM Pirelli P Zero summer tires were done after just 10,000 miles. We replaced them with Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus all-season tires, which have lasted 25,000 miles so far with some life left, showing how tire type plays a big role. On the Tesla, the OEM Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires lasted 40,000 miles, as expected in our experience, despite a slow leak in one tire. We replaced them with Hankook iON evo AS tires, which are expected to last even longer.

Dodge Charger Tire Comparison

Tesla Model 3 Tire Comparison

It all boils down to tire choice and driving habits. Many Tesla owners report similar results, with non-performance trim vehicles often achieving 30,000–40,000 miles per set when using the right tires and driving responsibly (Tesla Motors Club, Reddit r/TeslaLounge).

🛞 Tire Choice Matters: Don’t Skimp!

📏 Decoding Treadwear Ratings and Tread Depth

Choosing the right tire is critical for any performance vehicle, including EVs. High-performance cars often come with summer tires that prioritize grip but can wear out in as little as 10,000 miles. Skimping on replacements to save $200 might seem smart, but it could mean needing a new set much sooner. All-season tires offer better longevity while still providing decent performance.

Treadwear ratings, found on a tire’s sidewall, show how long a tire should last compared to a standard reference tire (rated at 100). A tire with a 400 rating should theoretically last four times longer than the reference. For non-performance trim EVs, I recommend tires with a treadwear rating of at least 400 for optimal longevity. Tread depth is another key factor, measured in 32nds of an inch. New tires typically start at 9/32 to 11/32, and according to Tire Rack, they’re considered worn out at 2/32—or 4/32 if you drive in wet conditions, as traction drops significantly below this point (Tire Rack).

🛞 Tire Types: Performance, All-Season, or EV-Specific?

The type of tire you choose makes a big difference. Performance tires use softer compounds for better grip but wear out faster (Cars.com). All-season tires strike a balance—offering decent performance with better longevity. For EVs, EV-specific tires are often the best choice, designed to handle higher acceleration and regenerative braking, while providing low rolling resistance, noise reduction, and enhanced durability.

🔄 EV Tire Compatibility: Costs and Benefits

Good news: any tire can fit your EV as long as it meets the proper weight and speed ratings—you’re not locked into specific tires for your Tesla or other EVs. However, Tesla claims their tires are “built to support the acceleration and regenerative deceleration of our vehicles” and are designed specifically for Tesla cars. These tires, often marked as “EV-approved” or “Tesla-approved” with a T0 or T1 on the sidewall, are recommended by Tesla, especially if you rely on their roadside assistance or service for tire changes.

EV-specific tires offer clear benefits but come at a higher price. They’re engineered for better rolling efficiency, boosting range by about 10%—which means roughly 10% more miles for a few years and 10% savings on electricity costs over their lifespan. They also often feature sound-absorbing foam to reduce road noise, as seen in tires like the Michelin Primacy MXM4, though this can make patching a puncture trickier. A set of four EV-specific tires typically costs $800, about $200 more than a $600 set of standard tires. I recommend EV tires for the range and efficiency gains, and the extra cost is easily offset by EV maintenance savings, like not needing brake pads (Caliber Auto Care).

Let’s tackle the claim that EV owners will spend thousands more on tires. If my Model 3’s tires last 40,000 miles and I drive 15,000 miles per year, that’s about 2.5 years per set. Over 10 years, that’s four sets—$800 extra for EV-specific tires compared to standard ones. But EVs save thousands on maintenance costs like oil changes and brake pads, easily offsetting this expense. The “thousands more” claim is a gross exaggeration when you consider the bigger picture.

🌄 Road Conditions: The Silent Tire Killer

Road conditions can significantly impact tire wear. I’ve experienced this firsthand on rural roads near my home, where gravel and uneven surfaces cause uneven wear and increase the risk of punctures, shortening tire lifespan for any vehicle—EV or gas (Cars.com). If you often drive in such areas, extra tire maintenance is a must.

🔧 Maintenance: Your Tires’ Best Friend

Here’s the bottom line: maintenance is crucial for maximizing tire life, whether you’re in a Tesla or a gas car—always follow manufacturer recommendations. Drive safely—with some occasional fun—and stay on top of alignments, and your tires will last their normal lifespan, just like they would on any vehicle. Neglecting tire rotations, especially on rear-wheel-drive Teslas like my Model 3, can cause uneven wear. Skipping alignments is another culprit—many Tesla owners report factory alignment issues that lead to rapid, uneven tire wear if not corrected.

• Check Tire Pressure Regularly: Underinflated tires wear out faster and hurt efficiency.
• Rotate Tires Every 5,000–8,000 Miles: Critical for RWD Teslas to prevent uneven wear.
• Get Alignments: Misaligned wheels can cause rapid, uneven tire wear.
• Choose EV-Specific Tires: For Teslas, look for tires with the “T0,” “T1,” or “T2” marking, which are Tesla-approved for optimal performance. Learn more about Tesla tires here.

❓ Why This Myth Won’t Die

The “EVs burn through tires” myth persists because it’s built on half-truths. Sure, EVs can accelerate quickly, which might wear tires faster if you drive recklessly. Rough road conditions can also take a toll on any vehicle. But these issues are exaggerated and not exclusive to EVs. A high-performance gas car will shred tires just as fast—if not faster—than a Tesla Model 3 Performance when driven hard. And many gas SUVs are just as heavy as EVs, yet they don’t get the same tire-killer label.