But EVs also hide “a dark secret,” as Scotty Kilmer says. The mechanic admits that all-electric vehicles don’t require the same amount of spending to keep them running properly. However, he underlines owners do not know something that may cost them a lot in the future: the tires are unexpectedly expensive. The man says you’ll have to spend a fortune just to change them.
The mechanic-turned-YouTuber says that some EV manufacturers reported their cars’ tires must be replaced after just 28,000 mi (45,000 km). According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, cars would normally travel about 60,000 mi (96,560 km) on a set of fresh tires before they’d need replacing. That’s mostly why Scotty Kilmer argues the low-maintenance advantage of EVs is a facade.
He also argues that EV owners might be inclined to test their cars’ acceleration more often just to feel the instantaneous acceleration or to show their friends why they should switch to the zero-emission side. This would, of course, lead to increased wear. Moreover, Kilmer says new tires must also support increased weight. Almost all EVs are heavier than their internal combustion counterparts.
Scotty Kilmer argues the low-maintenance advantage of EVs is a facade.
Scotty has a narrow and incorrect view on the subject.
We have two Teslas. The tires, in addition to being a standard SIZE, also are specified as “extra load”. I went online to Discount Tire… the tires for my cars are similar in price to what I’ve paid for tires for years.
For years, I have always bought Michelins. Tires are cheap, lives and cars are not. Anyway, the Discount Tire website suggests a bunch (for my Model 3) from a bit below $200(!) to a bit over $300. The original equipment Michelin tire is $307. I don’t see a price difference for the non-extra load Michelin tire of same brand and size.
So much for expensive tires being required for EVs.
There is a ton of misinformation out there regarding EVs, mostly from folks who don’t own EVs.
Rob
Former RB and BL Home Fool, Supernova Portfolio Contributor & Maintenance Fool
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
Rob, how long do the tires last on your Teslas? Surely you’re not getting 60,000 like I’m getting out of my Hankook tires on my old farm house Ford Exp (2005)?
I use this vehicle far less than I used to, but just yesterday, I pulled the last tire receipt from the glove box and noticed these four Hankooks cost me $600 with balancing and mounting. That was 8 years ago, and I’ve used this vehicle for three long trips up I-95 as well. I’ve rotated the Hankooks one time ($60) and that’s it other than oil changes and oil filter changes, and the one time I changed auto transmission fluid at the 100,000 mark. (I have also recharged the AC and cannot remember that cost, nor can I find the receipt. I do the radiator flush here at the house.)
I love Michelins too but an ex-Sears manager I hired to work in a club in Key West told me to give the Hankooks a try about 8 years ago, and boy, was he right. Also, they don’t “whine” as much as the Michelins they replaced. Best part was the price.
I’ve noticed more guys hauling boats are using Hankooks as well.
That said, numerous Twitter $TSLA fanbois have mentioned tire wear on their cars is worse than their old ICE mobiles. But then again, as Scotty mentions above, many of these guys might be doing the 0-60 floor stomp to impress people who’ve never experienced that torque of an EV.
Questions to you: have you ever had your car serviced at a Tesla Service Center? Did you see the recent Electrek story about Tesla hiring office workers to go work in the service centers?
Rob, how long do the tires last on your Teslas? Surely you’re not getting 60,000 like I’m getting out of my Hankook tires on my old farm house Ford Exp (2005)? – PT
Dunno. Got it February 2021 and only have a bit over 10k miles on it. Much of it due to several trips to Michigan and Florida from our home in Charlotte NC.
I haven’t had noticeable wear yet despite my tendency (and I’ve had the tendency for decades… since owning a Corvette in my college days) to take turns very quickly.
And I DO stomp on the accelerator from time to time. Perhaps since I have the AWD version, I don’t get any squealing tires from the action… it just blasts off like a rocket. LOL.
I’m a bit reluctant to shop around with tires ever since Ford Motor had it’s issues with Ford Explorers and Firestone tires. Bad tires. Caused some severe accidents.
I trust Michelin. I trust Pirelli. I trust Yokohama. I no longer trust American tires (some are foreign owned… yes, I know Michelin is foreign). I would never trust Chinese or Indian. Not sure about Korean. As I mentioned, I view tires as cheap compared to what they are protecting. Given the price range of all car tires… price is currently no object.
But I may do a bit of Hankook research… Michelin is a partial owner of Hankook by the way… that’s a plus.
Rob
Former RB and BL Home Fool, Supernova Portfolio Contributor & Maintenance Fool
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.