For our evaluations, we purchased eight tires of each model. The prices we paid from a local tire retailer spanned from $199 for the standard General Altimax RT45 all-season tire to $289 per tire for the EV-tuned Pirelli PZero All Season Plus Elect for the 18-inch size. The original equipment Hankooks that came standard on our Tesla Model 3 cost $209 per tire.
The test protocol was similar to how we test a large batch of tires each year, including dry and wet braking, dry and wet handling, hydroplaning resistance, ride comfort, noise, ice braking, snow traction, rolling resistance (a measure of tire efficiency), and treadwear. One key EV-specific difference we accounted for: We also performed a highway range test for each tire model, to evaluate the real-world impact of each tire’s rolling resistance, to give us a practical sense of what a tire change may mean to the car’s overall range.
We found that when prioritizing safety factors, a non-EV-specific tire can be a better choice. While EV-tuned tires tend to be optimized for range and efficiency, they may not perform as well as some non-EV replacement models in all weather conditions. In fact, even when emphasizing efficiency (rolling resistance) in our ratings calculations, the standard non-EV-labeled all-season tire ranked as high as the top-rated tire for EVs mainly because of its performance in areas like wet braking, snow and ice grip, and hydroplaning resistance—all important for safety. What’s more, those exceptional results came without significant sacrifices to range.
If winter weather isn’t something you need to deal with, an ultra-high-performance all-season tire excelled in the wet for braking, handling, and hydroplaning. However, that model put more of a dent in our Model 3’s overall highway range prediction.
In the end, as we recommend for any car, focusing on performance in safety-related areas may lead you to models that aren’t necessarily marketed as being specific to EVs. As long as you’re choosing models that meet the load capacity needs (look for XL versions) and that have at least the same speed rating. You may find that they’re not only a better choice but also perhaps a better value. (Learn more about how to read a sidewall.)
See the detailed findings below, or go right to our EV tire ratings.
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