What Is the Real Cost to Replace EV Tires?

23 Oct 2025

What Is the Real Cost to Replace EV Tires?

Replacing tires on an EV would cost between $700 and $900 per set of four.

By EVWorld.com Si Editorial Team

The recent article published by BGR titled "EV Tires Cost More and Wear Out Faster - Here's Why" presents a narrow and misleading view of electric vehicle ownership. While it is true that EVs exert more torque and carry more weight than internal combustion vehicles, the article fails to account for key factors that reshape the cost narrative.

First, the claim that EV owners will spend up to $3,600 on tires over 100,000 miles is based on high-end assumptions. Most EV drivers, including those with vehicles like the Chevy Bolt, spend between $700 and $900 per set of four tires, with replacements every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. That results in a total cost closer to $2,100?$2,700 over 100,000 miles - not $3,600.

Second, the article omits the substantial fuel savings EVs offer. A Bolt EV averaging 5.2 miles per kWh uses roughly 7.7 kWh for a 40-mile commute. At national average electricity rates, that costs less than $2 per day. Over 100,000 miles, EV drivers save thousands compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, more than offsetting any tire premium.

Third, EVs benefit from regenerative braking, which reduces wear on both brakes and tires during deceleration. This design feature is absent in traditional hybrids and ICE vehicles, and it contributes to longer component life and smoother driving dynamics.

Fourth, the article fails to compare EVs to performance ICE vehicles, which also wear tires faster due to torque and acceleration. EVs should not be benchmarked against economy sedans alone.

Finally, the tire industry is rapidly adapting. Brands like Goodyear, Michelin, and Bridgestone now offer EV-specific tires with reinforced sidewalls, low rolling resistance, and noise-reducing compounds. These tires are engineered to handle EV loads and driving profiles, and their durability is improving with each generation.

In short, the BGR article overstates costs, ignores fuel savings, and fails to contextualize EV tire wear within broader ownership economics. EVs remain cost-effective, especially in urban environments with clean grids and efficient driving habits.