Survey suggests majority of EV owners want specialist tyres

According to a survey commissioned by Apollo Tyres, almost two-thirds of electric vehicle (EV) owners in the UK would prefer to purchase replacement tyres that have been developed specifically for use on this type of vehicle. A poll of 1,000 motorists showed that 64 per cent of EV drivers said they would favour EV-specific replacement tyres, compared to just one per cent who say they would be unlikely to choose these.

The survey also found that younger EV drivers are the group most likely to purchase a specialist replacement tyre, with 84 per cent of respondents in the 25 to 34 age bracket saying they are either ‘very likely’ or ‘somewhat likely’ to purchase a tyre specifically designed for EVs, compared to 36 per cent of those aged 45 to 54. Men are more likely to select an EV-specific product as a replacement tyre, with 56 per cent saying they would be ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to do so, compared to 51 per cent of female EV drivers.

When asked about factors that would motivate them to choose a certain type of replacement tyre, 44 per cent of EV drivers cite ‘high traction and grip in all weathers’, while 38 per cent would favour a product ‘recommended by the car manufacturer’.

When choosing tyres in the future, 44 per cent of EV owners say they would be prepared to pay more for those products specifically developed for use on an EV, while 24 per cent were still unsure.

First all-season EV tyre

Last year, Apollo Tyres launched the Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV, Europe’s first all-season tyre developed specifically for battery electric vehicles and hybrids. Apollo Tyres designed this product to manage the increased torque and weight associated with modern EVs and says it delivers “superior handling and stability, low levels of rolling resistance and high standards of durability.” The Quatrac Pro EV also features a tread design that offers a 1dB reduction in road noise over the equivalent non-EV Vredestein all-season tyre, thanks to its AI-optimised sequencing of tread pitches.

“As Europe continues its shift towards electrified transport, consumers are becoming better aware of products that can offer significant benefits for their EVs,” says Yves Pouliquen, group head of sales and marketing at Apollo Tyres. “This has been confirmed by early demand for the Quatrac Pro EV, as well as by these survey findings, and we will continue to invest in EV-specific innovations as the sector grows.”