Anyone who opts for an e-car can expect lower costs in many cases: the environmental bonus helps with the purchase, charging current and insurance also cost less than they used to with petrol or diesel. But in one respect, such an e-car is more expensive for its driver – and you often only notice that later.
Bitter for e-car drivers: special tires are much more expensive than with combustion engines
E-cars can not only convince with emission-free journeys. Once bought, the running costs are often significantly cheaper than with petrol or diesel. Stromer drivers save on the currently extremely high fuel prices, insurance companies usually charge less, and vehicle tax is lower. And thanks to the environmental bonus, the purchase price is reduced to a level comparable to current combustion engines.
The bottom line is that e-cars are the cheaper alternative in the long run. But not everything about the electric car is cheaper than it used to be with the old combustion engine. In addition to a possible battery repair, changing the tires can also cost you dearly. Because special Tires tailored to the requirements of e-cars cost significantly more than the typical combustion models.
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This is the result of a study carried out by the tire platform Alzura Tyre24 on behalf of Automobilwoche (source: Automobilwoche via t-online). Accordingly, tires for e-cars are around average almost half the price than current models for combustion engines.
In numbers, this means: In March 2022, drivers paid an average of 90.67 euros for a classic tire. Specific Tires for electric cars, on the other hand, cost 134.80 euros and thus 48.7 percent more. In addition, there is general inflation and scarce raw materials, which are also reflected in tire prices. In the past two years, prices are said to have risen by almost 60 percent.
Do electric cars need special tires at all?
But why the differences? E-cars can benefit from special tires with lower rolling resistance. This way you can get a little more range, which is one of the most important criteria for Stromern. The rolling noise should also be minimized and the overall driving characteristics improved. Tires on e-cars have to withstand greater acceleration than on combustion engines.
You should consider this before buying an electric car:
And these freshly developed tires cost manufacturers something. “New products rarely have the price pressure of established products,” explains Michael Saitow from the operator of the tire platform Saitow AG to Automobilwoche. But that also means: Over time, the prices for special e-car tires are likely to fall. You don’t have to rely on it anyway, classic tires can also be fitted to electric cars. You just have to do without extra range or get more out of it in another way.