Electric vehicle owners in the UK could enhance their driving range by approximately 700 miles annually and achieve savings of around £119 per year by opting for specially designed EV tyres, according to recent research by tyre manufacturer Michelin. The study highlights the benefits of using Michelin's e-Primacy tyres on electric vehicles, demonstrating an increase in efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The research suggests that on average, an EV tyre can increase the range of a vehicle by 7%, which translates to about 18 miles per charge on a car with a standard 250-mile range. For an average driver, this improvement equates to a significant enhancement in range over the course of a year, enough to drive from London to John O'Groats, a journey of approximately 700 miles.
The e-Primacy tyre does this by providing less roll-resistance than normal, so the electric motor in your car is not working as hard to maintain speed.
Michelin has conducted an extensive analysis on the 570,561 registered EVs in the UK that are compatible with e-Primacy tyres, uncovering that collectively, these vehicles could be missing out on 495 million miles of additional range per year. This represents a potential saving of £84 million annually for their owners.
John Howe, Managing Director for Michelin UK & Ireland, emphasised the dual benefits of EV tyres, noting that they not only extend the driving range per charge but also tend to last longer than standard tyres when used on electric vehicles. “Securing an additional 700 miles and saving £120 per year simply by choosing the right tyres offers an easy win for drivers,” Howe stated.
In addition to general benefits, Michelin also released details on the specific vehicles that stand to gain the most from using their e-Primacy tyres. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 tops the list, potentially adding 26 miles to its range per charge, which could translate to savings of £4.55 per charge. It is followed by the Tesla Model 3, which could see an increase of 24 miles per charge and savings of £4.12. The Volkswagen ID.5 and the Mercedes EQA also show considerable improvements, with each adding around 23 extra miles per charge and achieving savings of £4.03 and £3.93 respectively.
| Per Charge | ||
| Extra Miles | Savings | |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 26 | £4.55 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 24 | £4.12 |
| Volkswagen ID.5 | 23 | £4.03 |
| Mercedes EQA | 23 | £3.93 |
| Skoda Enyaq iV | 22 | £3.90 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 22 | £3.89 |
| Nissan Ariya | 22 | £3.88 |
| Audi Q4 E-Tron | 22 | £3.83 |
| Kia EV6 | 22 | £3.76 |
| Honda e Advance | 21 | £3.71 |
The significance of choosing the right tyres for electric vehicles goes beyond mere cost savings. Michelin points out that EV tyres are pivotal in maximising the performance of a car. They help in reducing noise levels, which is a notable benefit given the quieter nature of electric engines compared to their petrol or diesel counterparts. Moreover, these tyres are crucial in extending the overall battery range, which is a key concern for EV owners.
This research underscores the importance of considering tyre selection as part of the overall strategy to improve EV efficiency. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, the implications of tyre technology and its impact on performance and sustainability are increasingly coming to the forefront. Tyre manufacturers like Michelin are at the helm, driving advancements that could redefine the mobility landscape for EV owners, making electric driving more efficient and economically viable.
As expected, the transition to electric vehicles brings with it the need for complementary technologies that enhance vehicle performance and efficiency. Michelin's e-Primacy tyres represent a critical development in this area, offering not only enhanced range but also increased savings, marking a significant step forward in sustainable automotive solutions.
The only thing we found particularly strange is that when we presented Michelin's online tyre-picker with the number plate of a Hyundai Ioniq 6 – the e-Primacy tyres were last on its list of recommendations. Probably worth John Howe having a management meeting to line up his e-Primacy ducks.
Going forward, we will have to check any review models we receive – to see if they've been ‘modded'. We've asked Michelin if the ‘reduction in road resistance' means longer stopping distances and if manufacturers have shown an increased interest level in this new technology.