Electric cars are TWICE as likely to have tyre defects as petrol vehicles, research reveals

Electric cars are nearly twice as likely to suffer tyre defects compared to petrol vehicles, new research suggests.

Analysis of more than 47 million MOT tests in Britain has revealed how the weight of batteries combined with the instant torque delivered by electric motors place greater strain on tyres.

The research, which was commissioned by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) found some EV owners were paying a 'tyre tax' of extra repair costs.

And replacing a tyre – especially a premium model – can run into the hundreds of pounds.

On average, an EV battery can weigh between 660 and 1,100 pounds (300–500kg), making up as much as 25 per cent of the vehicle's overall weight.

Unlike petrol engines, which build power gradually, electric motors deliver maximum torque almost instantly, placing greater force on the tyres from the moment the driver accelerates and potentially increasing wear.  

Older models were the worst affected, with the addition of friction–brake defects.

'Electric vehicles generate approximately 1.8 times the tyre defects of petrol cars due to battery mass and instant low–end torque,' the report says.

Analysis showed that for electric vehicles which had between 20,000 and 40,000 miles on the clock, the rate of tyre defects per 100 cars was 5.8.

Petrol cars, meanwhile, had a much lower rate of 3.2.

This difference was maintained as the mileage increased, with the rate of tyre failure for cars with 90,000 miles on the clock coming in at 9.4 for EVs and 5.4 for petrol models.

The research found models such as the Nissan e–NV200 experienced almost seven extra tyre defects per 100 cars compared to its diesel counterpart.

Meanwhile the VW e–Golf had almost five more tyre defects compared to its petrol equivalent, and the Hyundai Kona Electric had four extra. 

However, newer models such as the BMW i3, Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Ioniq Electric performed much better.

These recent models are designed to spread the heavy battery weight more evenly across the vehicle, helping to reduce tyre wear.

'Fleet operators should deploy active tyre–pressure monitoring systems and specify EV–grade reinforced tyres on commercial vehicles,' the report recommends.

Despite performing worse when it came to tyres, in other areas EVs achieved better results than petrol and diesel equivalents.

The data showed that between 90,000 and 120,000 miles, 16.5 per cent of electric cars fail their MOT compared with 22 per cent of petrol cars of the same age and mileage.

It also found modern EVs were less likely to suffer defects of suspension and brakes and, being electric, did not have an exhaust system to bring down their reliability rating.

The findings challenge the traditional used–car assumption that high mileage is inevitably accompanied by rapidly increasing mechanical risk.

Toby Poston, chief executive of the BVRLA, said: 'Mileage has always been one of the first things people look at when buying a used car, and passing 60,000 or 70,000 miles can have a big impact on how a vehicle is perceived.

'This research suggests we need to think differently when it comes to electric vehicles.

'Many of the EVs now entering the used market have had their first life in company and leasing fleets and have already covered substantial mileage.

'What this data shows is that mileage alone should not put consumers off. A well–maintained, higher–mileage electric car can be an extremely durable used vehicle.'

The research was carried out by New AutoMotive, an organisation that promotes the switch to electric cars.

It is believed to be the first time MOT data has been examined on this scale.

Steve Walker, the head of digital content at Auto Express, said: 'This study looks primarily at older electric cars, and doesn't account for the kind of tyres being used.

'EV design and specialist electric–car tyre technology has progressed considerably in a short period of time and it may be that today's new electric cars will show an improvement when they reach their first MOTs in three years' time.'