Although invisible to the naked eye, electric vehicles are equipped with special tires that have different compounds, designs, and structures from electric vehicles. heat engine using diesel or gasolineThis difference stems from the fact that tires for electric vehicles must cope with the added weight in order to achieve maximum efficiency, remain quiet and be able to handle loads. I'm here. Instantaneous large torque possessed by an electric motor.
weight
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Comparing electric vehicles of the same level as gasoline vehicles, The latter is heavier due to the mass of the battery, which often weighs up to 1000 pounds.This means that even if you save mass by using an electric motor, Overall weight is still high. This additional weight puts a strain on the tire.Some studies have shown that rubber can wear out 20% faster for zero-emission vehicles compared to gasoline cars.
As a result, some designers thought the rims needed to be stiffer to limit wear. Especially regarding the lateral load on the wheel when corneringAnother aspect that helps with the expected mileage of electric vehicle tires is a flat tread. This distributes the load more evenly.
However, the compound of the tire itself is equally important, with harder compounds being seen to extend tire life. It is
efficiency
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Efficiency and ensuring that the battery can take the driver as far as possible is one of the most important aspects of electric vehicles.seconds. When it comes to tires, this is reflected in their rolling resistance coefficient. Small changes can have a big impact here. Because less efficiency means you need a bigger battery. The result is more weight and even less efficiency.
In numbers, the difference between an average tire and a good tire is at most 50 kilometers of autonomy.
As such, most of the improvement in rolling resistance is due to the tire curing process. The latter Heat rubber in the presence of sulfur to form compoundsSince natural rubber is weak against temperature changes and lacks durability, So these additional processes are very important to protect the integrity of the tire.
In the case of vulcanization, it is necessary to heat and shape the tire while pressurizing it.This not only gives the tire its final shape, but also ensures a good bond between it and the reinforcing compound in the structure.
Naturally, the larger the contact patch, the more evenly the pressure is distributed. This reduces the aforementioned drag force.
noise
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The engines installed in EVs are generally quieter than gasoline and diesel vehicles, i.e. other noises will soon become noticeable.
The tire design is unique with the aim of producing no rolling noise. Break down and absorb resonance generated in grooves.
Another feature is the expanding lateral groove, It starts narrow and widens out towards the outside of the tire. Its design is meant to keep water away and prevent noise from doing the same.
Another feature for unevenly spaced side grooves is known as multitone sequencing. This interrupts the constant rhythmic nature of the noise. Through clever engineering, this design can also be optimized to reduce overall noise.
On the other hand, there aren't that many innovations inside the rim. Still, there are foam inserts that help absorb vibrations caused by rolling. as a result, This prevents vibrations from traveling through the wheels, through the suspension, and into the chassis and cab..
torque
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Regarding torque, EVs typically not only provide more information, they provide it instantly compared to its gas-powered counterpart. The battery adds some weight, but Give your car more mechanical gripwhich helps in acceleration.
But there is also the problem of stopping that extra weight, so the tire of an electric vehicle needs to be able to provide as much vertical grip as possible. Accelerate or decelerateThis goes back to stiffness. There are some tricks used with EV tires.
The most important part is the internal structureTechnologies used to ensure the structural integrity of the tire include seamless bead wire, folded edge tape and high-strength steel belts. Together with the reinforcing layers of the textile structure and the tire compound itself, these factors increase stiffness. Another key feature of this tire is its wide center rib pattern, which benefits from increased traction.
Conclusion
Despite the challenges posed by the traditional capabilities of electric vehicles, solutions exist. And by combining them, you get great results.
However, there are some caveats. First, electric vehicle tires are fairly expensive, with some models costing over $300 per tire. Similar to what you would normally pay for a high-end sports or luxury care. They still wear out faster than gasoline cars.
So while there is a temptation to buy the cheapest option, the downsides are not worth it, especially considering that more affordable electric vehicle tires will hit the market over time. , soon with decent performance and lower average prices.