Specialist vs all-rounder – Auto Bild tests tyres for EVs

Manufacturers approach tyre suitability for electric vehicles from varying angles. While some believe that EVs require specialised fitments, a growing number promote their entire product ranges as equally suitable for electric, petrol and diesel vehicles. Examining both approaches, Auto Bild has tested five standard tyre models and three specialised EV tyres. It fitted these eight products to a Kia EV6 in size 235/55 R19.

Well, actually nine products. Although Michelin selected its Pilot Sport 4 SUV to take part in this test, Auto Bild also tested the now discontinued Pilot Sport EV alongside the other contenders. It did not include this tyre in the final results table.

It’s worth noting that Michelin recently began employing the term ‘EV Ready’ for all its consumer tyres. Bridgestone, Continental and Goodyear similarly denote the suitability of their tyres for both ICE power and EVs.

Dedicated models not necessary

What does Auto Bild have to say? Dierk Möller and Henning Klipp, the publication’s in-house tyre testers, concede that electric vehicles require specific tyres in order to safely transfer the powerful torque of the drive and the high vehicle weight onto the road. But when looking at the strong performance of the ‘standard’ tyres in this current product comparison, they also conclude that dedicated EV tyre models are “not necessarily required.”

As confirmation of this, the non-specialised Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV secured test victory with an overall ‘exemplary’ rating, despite Möller and Klipp’s criticism of its increased rolling resistance. The testers found the Michelin tyre’s performance on wet and dry roads to be impressive, while other strengths include “dynamic handling qualities, precise steering behaviour, short braking distances and high mileage.”

Second place jointly belongs to another ‘standard’ tyre, the Continental PremiumContact 7, and an EV-specialist, the Hankook iON Evo SUV. Both scored just a tenth of a point less than the winning Michelin tyre, and the PremiumContact 7 additionally gained the title of Eco-Champion thanks to its “standing mileage and exemplary sustainability.”

Rated exemplary

Test winner – Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
+ Sports tyre with convincing performance on wet and dry surfaces, dynamic handling qualities, precise turning behaviour, short braking distances, high mileage
– Increased rolling resistance

Continental PremiumContact 7
+ Outstanding mileage and exemplary sustainability, shortest wet and dry braking distances, precise dry handling, pleasantly quiet comfort, low tyre wear and power consumption

Hankook iON Evo SUV
+ New EV summer pattern with balanced high performance potential, stable safe handling, short wet and dry braking distances, quiet drive-by noise, high mileage, good economy

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
+ Sports tyre with convincing performance on dry and wet roads, good aquaplaning reserves, short braking distances, good economy
– Slightly increased rolling resistance

Rated good

Falken e.Ziex
+ EV pattern with short dry braking distances, extended range, low rolling resistance, very favourable price level
– Satisfactory mileage, tendency to understeer

Rated satisfactory

GT Radial Sport Active 2 EV
+ EV tyre with high mileage, quiet ride comfort, low rolling resistance, low price
– Understeering wet and dry handling, longer wet braking distances

Conditionally recommendable

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
+ Sports tyre with dynamic handling on wet and dry roads, short braking distances, good aquaplaning properties
– Limited mileage, very high rolling resistance/consumption, moderate comfort

Not recommendable

Goodride ZuperEco Z-107
+ Eco pattern at a favourable price, good aquaplaning reserves
– Limited lateral grip and excessively long braking distances in the wet, understeering handling, moderate mileage.