Electric vehicles face higher tire wear despite better long-term reliability

A study conducted in the United Kingdom has revealed that electric vehicles (EVs) face specific maintenance challenges, particularly regarding tire wear. Data from approximately 47 million MOT technical inspections indicates that EVs are nearly twice as likely to experience tire-related issues compared to petrol vehicles. This increased wear is attributed to the heavy weight of batteries, which can constitute up to a quarter of the vehicle's mass, and the immediate torque provided by electric motors.

However, the research also highlights long-term reliability benefits. Analysis by New AutoMotive using DVSA data shows that as mileage increases, EVs often demonstrate fewer mechanical failures than internal combustion engine vehicles of the same age. For vehicles between 3 and 8 years old with 90,000 to 120,000 miles, the failure rate for EVs was approximately 16.5%, compared to 22.1% for petrol cars. This lower failure rate is linked to the absence of complex components such as exhaust systems, fuel delivery systems, and catalytic converters. While tire maintenance costs may act as a “tire tax” for EV owners, the overall mechanical complexity of these vehicles appears to reduce certain types of long-term technical failures.