Tire Rack, an online tire seller, recently tested nine tires on the 2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance to find which worked best for driver needs. 

“Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been a rising force in the automotive industry for some time,” Tire Rack says on its website. “Their greater upfront torque, heavier weight, and focus on sustainable longevity have seen an outpouring of new tires from many manufacturers attempting to address the specific needs of EVs.” 

It adds that changing one attribute to a tire could impact multiple other things such as handling, comfort, and wet traction. 

“It’s not quite as simple as a 1:1 difference of course, few things are, but it’s important to understand that any time something is changed in a tire’s design, however minor it may seem, the effects of that change ripple outward,” according to the website.

Tires tested include: 

• • Bridgestone Turanza EV (Grand Touring All-Season 235/40R19 96W)
  • Continental ProContract RXS (Grand Touring All-Season, 235/40R19 96W)
  • Goodyear EcoReady (Grand Touring All-Season, 235/45R18 98W)
  • Goodyear ElectricDrive 2 (Grand Touring All-Season, 235/40R19 96W)
  • Hankook iON evo AS (Grand Touring All-Season, 235/40R19 96W)
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (Max Performance Summer, 235/40R19 (96Y)
  • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 235/40R19 96Y)Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) (Max Performance Summer, 235/40R19 96W)
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 235/40R19 96Y)

Tire Rack concluded multiple tests to determine which tires performed best in different categories such as efficiency, wet and dry stopping, and steering. 

To test range and efficiency, Tire Rack used a 100-mile loop to measure watt hours/miles, the watt hours an EV uses to travel 100 miles. 

Vehicle Reported Efficiency (Watt Hours/Miles)

Lower number more efficient

• • Hanhook iON evo AS 263
  • Goodyear EcoReady 269
  • Continental ProContact RX 272
  • Goodyear ElectricDrive 2 274
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S 274
  • Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) 274
  • Bridgestone Turanza EV 276
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 290
  • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 292 

Tire Rack tested braking from 50 mph to 0 mph along with a skidpad on a looped track in wet and dry conditions. 

Wet Track Braking

Lower number better

• • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 92.3
  • Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) 95.3
  • Goodyear EcoReady 96.2
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 45 97.2
  • Continental ProContact RX 101.1
  • Bridgestone Turanza EV 102.1 
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S 102.1
  • Goodyear ElectricDrive 2 102.0
  • Hankook iON evo AS 104.6 

Wet Average Cornering (g-force) 

Higher number better

• • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 0.93
  • Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) 0.90
  • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 0.86
  • Goodyear EcoReady 0.86
  • Continental ProContact RX 0.86
  • Bridgestone Turanza EV 0.82
  • Goodyear ElectricDrive 2  0.82
  • Hankook iON evo AS 0.82
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S 0.81

Dry Track Braking

Lower number better

• • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S  78.0
  • Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) 78.8
  • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 83.7 
  • Goodyear EcoReady 86.8
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S 87.4
  • Goodyear ElectricDrive 2 88.4
  • Hankook iON evo AS  88.7
  • Continental ProContact RX 93.5
  • Bridgestone Turanza EV 93.6

Dry Average Cornering (g-force) 

Higher number better

• • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 0.96
  • Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) 0.94
  • Continental ProContact RX  0.92
  • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 0.90
  • Hankook iON evo AS 0.89
  • Goodyear EcoReady 0.88
  • Bridgestone Turanza EV  0.88
  • Goodyear ElectricDrive 2  0.87
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S  0.86

Tire Rack did an overall track test to review braking behavior, steering characteristics, and responsiveness, along with handling and balance. 

Wet Track Lap Times (seconds)

Lower time better

• • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 29.57
  • Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) 30.30
  • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 30.46
  • Goodyear EcoReady 30.88
  • Continental ProContact RX 30.94
  • Bridgestone Turanza EV 31.53
  • Goodyear ElectricDrive 2 31.55
  • Hankook iON evo AS 31.91
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S 32.05

Dry Track Lap Times (seconds)

Lower time better

• • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S  28.42
  • Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) 28.58
  • Continental ProContact RX  29.01
  • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 29.09
  • Hankook iON evo AS 29.13
  • Goodyear EcoReady 29.54
  • Goodyear ElectricDrive 2 29.64
  • Bridgestone Turanza EV 29.82
  • Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S 29.96

Repairer Driven News reviewed some OEM tire guidelines for EVs to see if the weight and electronic components of the vehicles impacted replacement recommendations. 

Rivian notes that replacement tires should match the existing tires by brand, model, size, speed rating, temperature rating, load rating, and homologation specification to ensure safety, performance, and range parameters.

It notes that in case of damage to a single tire, refer to the wear specifications (4/23”) to determine if additional tires require replacement. 

“To minimize tire height difference, prevent possible Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system faults, and maintain vehicle performance, Rivian recommends that tires be replaced in pairs across the front or rear axles,” its service guidelines say. 

Tesla’s Model S guidelines also recommend replacing the tires in pairs unless the tires are within 2/32 inch of tread depth of the new tire. 

“When replacing tires, it is important to match the brand and model of the older tires,” the guidelines say. “Always place a pair of new tires on the rear if all four tires are the same size. Always balance the wheel and tire after replacing a tire.” 

It also adds that if tires are replaced, the tire configuration should be reset. 

“This resets the learned tire settings and improves the driving experience on your new tires,” the guidelines say. 

Owners should also consult with a professional tire retailer and installer for further guidance, according to the guidelines. 

Nissan Ariya’s owner manual notes that when replacing a tire, it should match the size, thread, design, speed rating, and load-carrying capacity of tires originally equipped on the vehicle. 

“The use of tires other than those recommended or the mixed use of tires of different brands, construction (bias, bias-belted or radial), or tread patterns can adversely affect the ride, braking, handling, VDC system, ground clearance, body-to-tire clearance, tire chain clearance, speedometer calibration, headlight aim, and bumper height,” the manual says. “Some of these effects may lead to accidents and could result in serious personal injury.” 

It notes that for two-wheel drive models if the vehicle was originally equipped with four tires that were the same size and you are only replacing two of the four tires, the new tires should be installed on the rear axle. It states that replacing new tires on the front could cause loss of vehicle control in some driving conditions. 

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) could also be affected if replacing tires that are not specified by Nissan, the manual says. It says TPMS sensors could be damaged if not handled correctly. 

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