Your EV Will Handle Better In the Snow With Winter Tires

Should EVs Use Snow Tires?

We are really in the heart of tire swap season. Appointments for our service experts to swap seasonal tires are taking up more of our time each week. One group of people we have been hearing from is electric vehicle owners asking, ‘Should EVs use Snow Tires?’ The answer is simply, yes, they should. Our service advisors put together a few thoughts on why people driving electric vehicles should make an appointment with Fairley & Stevens Ford to have a fresh set of winter tires installed.

READ MORE: How Does Ford Mobile Service Work?

Benefits of EVs Equipped With Snow Tires

EVs, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, are naturally well-suited to winter driving with a low centre of gravity and broadly available all-wheel drive. However, that natural talent for winter driving gets even greater when winter-rated tires are added. Some of the benefits of equipping an EV with snow tires include:

• Better Performance & Efficiency: Snow tires are built from the ground up to provide better traction and performance in winter conditions. That improved traction means the electric powertrain doesn’t need to work as hard.
• Improved Safety: The specialized rubber formula used by winter tires increases safety and peace of mind by reducing tire slippage and stopping distance.
• Better Range Figures: Cold weather can take a toll on any automotive electrical system. Winter tires provide better grip and help the vehicle maintain the best possible electric range.

Considerations for Buying Snow Tires For an EV

Not every snow tire on the market is appropriate to use on every vehicle. Basically, these tires aren’t necessarily broadly interchangeable. EV owners looking to buy their first set of winter tires need to consider the following:

• Vehicle Weight: EVs can be heavier than a similar gas-powered platform because of the battery system. Any new winter tire needs to be rated for the gross weight of the vehicle.
• Increased Torque: Electric powertrains deliver torque directly to the wheels through electric motors. The instant application of torque makes for exciting driving, but it also requires tires that can handle it.
• Low Rolling Resistance: Winter conditions can cause a loss of efficiency for several reasons. Winter tires can exacerbate that. Low rolling resistance tires can mitigate those losses.

Make an appointment with a Fairley & Stevens Ford product expert to learn more about our available lineup of EVs or with a service advisor to pick out your first, or next, set of winter tires.