Why the surge in EV cars is having an impact on the tire industry
Frédéric Baroin
Global Head of Automotive Business at Anyline
Electric cars are changing the face of the tire industry. Although batteries and performance receive most of the attention, tires are a hidden factor that most do not initially see as being impacted by this development and growth. But we are here to tell you that tires may actually be more important than anyone foresaw.
That demand creates a risk within the tire industry, meaning that it could be harder for manufacturers to keep up with this new level of demand. Not only is there a need for these new, specialized tires, but those already on the vehicle are going to wear down faster than what is normal for gas-powered cars. That’s due to their heavier weight, thanks to the batteries in these vehicles. There’s more load on the tires, putting more friction on them and causing them to wear down more.
Even with all of these challenges, it’s also important to realize that today’s driver expects their EV to perform at a higher level. They expect high power output and faster acceleration, which further puts demand on the tires.
Optimizing Tire Usage
As noted, there’s a need for specialized tires, and those tires wear out sooner. Having poorly serviced or worn-down tires creates a significant safety risk. This can cause accidents. That is why it is so important to have access to real-time data, allowing customers to know when they need to change their tires or get upgrades in place.
Our most recent survey found that 47% of Americans knowingly admitted to operating a vehicle with bald or extremely worn-out tires, and an additional 46% reported having experienced a tire blowout while operating the vehicle.
How can tire dealers fix this? One way to do so is to provide customers with the tools they need. That includes an app or a website that has an installed tire tread scanner. This would allow the customers to check their tire tread with the swipe of their phone, giving them more information about when it is time to get a new set of tires. For tire dealers, the goal would be to have real-time access to the tire’s status to optimize the tire’s wear cycle and lifespan.
