AN expert mechanic with years of experience has revealed electric car tyres aren’t worth it.
While EVs may have some advantages, such as lower maintenance costs, quieter and more boot space than their gas-guzzling counterparts, there are downsides too.
YouTubeEV drivers may have to fork out more for their tyres and more often, according to an expert[/caption]
YouTube/ Scotty KilmerScotty Kilmer is a veteran mechanic and runs a popular YouTube page[/caption]
Veteran mechanic Scotty Kilmer took to his YouTube page and explained in a recent video why EV drivers might have to put up with having to buy relatively expensive tyres more often.
The expert said that all-electric vehicles are heavier than their petrol-powered alternative and that the tyres are the same size.
That means that if you’re an EV driver, your car needs rubber rings with a higher weight rating and so the tyres will wear out faster.
Another factor, Kilmer says, is that EVs are zippy and their owners are willing to explore just what they can do.
Frequent acceleration does come with a price to pay – tyre life.
Electric cars can deliver their torque almost immediately, giving the feel they are a lot faster than their petrol-powered equivalents.
With conventional cars you might have to wait for the revs to build up but with an EV the response is lightning fast.
That’s due to the electrical current from the battery interacting with a magnetic field.
Once a current is inducted, the conductive elements of the motor interact with the magnets, and a turning force is applied.
As the magnetic field is constant, all that is needed is an impulse – pressing the accelerator – and the rotational force is available.
Another factor, Kilmer highlights, is that some EVs may need high-performance, expensive tyres although he does emphasise that rubber rings for all-electric vehicles are generally more expensive.
Using Tesla’s popular Model 3 as an example he claims a set of tyres could cost $1,300 (£1,030) before tax but with installation included.
Kilmer says the Model 3 needs costly tyres, ones that are usually required for luxury or high-end super cars.
The popular car mechanic also admits EVs need pricier tyres because they are tailor-made to suit zero-exhaust emission propulsion systems.
They have to have low rolling resistance and be more silent without trading other safety requirements for those qualities.
The tyres have to be able to support a heavier load while keeping all the other vital aspects.
Kilmer advises potential owners of EVs to consider the “total lifetime cost of the tyres” before making the switch to an electric car.
In another YouTube video, Kilmer warned that EV tyres can require some extra servicing compared to petrol-powered equivalents.
He said: “EV tyres are anything but low maintenance.
“Some have reported tyres needing to be replaced at just 28,000 miles.”
For comparison, tyres usually last for around 30,000 miles.
Kilmer also slammed EVs as a “scam” as the rocketing cost of electricity means that one of their key appeals has “vaporized”.
Energy prices have rocketed in the past year as the emergence from Covid lockdowns combined with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine put immense upward pressure on the price of oil and gas.
Amid a cost of living crisis, many consumers just can’t afford to give up cheap, petrol-powered rides.
However, Scotty said that this was just the “tip of the iceberg” as, if everyone switches to electric, he believes road tax will be applied to energy bills rather than fuel prices.
It comes after one woman revealed that she was getting rid of her EV because it was too inconvenient.
Meanwhile, Bentley revived one of its most iconic cars as a new electric model – but it’ll break the bank.
YouTubeKilmer says some EV models need high-performance tyres which cost more[/caption]