The power reserve per charge is almost the main indicator that attracts attention when studying the parameters of an electric vehicle. The bulk of electric cars cannot yet boast of a large power reserve, so an important point is to optimize the use of energy.
How tires change their range
It has long been proven that the type of rubber, the size of the rims, the width of the tires have an impact on the dynamics and handling of a car. This is especially important in the case of electric cars.
- Calculations show that an increase in tire width by even 48.8% (from 205 to 305 mm) increases dynamic resistance, however, with a range of 320 km. the car will only lose 0.5 kWh, i.e. the range will be reduced by only 3 km. or 1% of the total power reserve.
- Another parameter that affects the power reserve is the tire profile height. So, with the same tire radius, an increase in tire profile by 28.6% (from 35 to 45 mm) can increase mileage by up to 15%. Here, the indicators depend on other characteristics of the car. For example, Tesla Model 3 showed an increase of 15%, while Model S and Model X cars showed an increase of 8-9%. By the way, Hyundai Kona Electric also showed an 8% increase in mileage.
- Tire size is another parameter. Since the information on Tesla models is more readily available, let's turn to them again. On the Tesla Model S P100D, a 19-inch tire uses about 5% less energy than a 21-inch tire. For Tesla S 60D / 75D / 90D models, the difference is almost 12%. And on the Tesla Model X P100D, the difference is even greater: 20-inch tires provide a 23.3% reduction in energy consumption compared to 22-inch tires.
- Another important nuance is the correct tire pressure. Many drivers neglect this factor. Insufficient tire pressure increases energy consumption as the grip area of the wheel increases.
- Discs also contribute to energy consumption. A larger disc has a lot of weight, which means that an electric car's motor uses more energy to propel the wheel. This conclusion is also relevant if you use a disc of the same diameter but made of a heavier alloy.
- Another point is the characteristics of the rubber itself. The best option is hard rubber, a smooth pattern with a minimum of protrusions - this reduces the amount of energy required to move the car.
It is worth considering one important point: all studies on the influence of tire parameters are carried out by calculation method or on a special stand. This does not allow taking into account other nuances that may have an impact on the real mileage: wind strength, season (winter, summer), rolling resistance, the interaction of different types of tires with the road surface, etc. However, choosing the right wheels can improve the efficiency of using the resources provided by the battery and battery of an electric vehicle.
Energy-efficient tires
Realizing the active development of electric vehicles and the importance of improving the efficiency of using the battery charge of an electric car, some tire manufacturers have been developing energy-efficient tires for several years. Due to the presence of a special thermal coating, such wheels can convert thermal energy (heat from the sun or when driving) into electrical energy and send it to the battery.
In the meantime, energy-efficient tires have not yet appeared on the wide sale, Ukrainian owners of electric cars have to study the map of charging stations or purchase their charger.