EV drivers warned of little-known ‘tyre pressure tax’
Motorists could be caught out with a "tyre pressure tax" in a fresh warning to road users this March.
Drivers have been warned of a “tyre pressure tax” which could affect the UK’s 1.85million electric car users. Experts have revealed road users could cut their maximum electric car range if their tyre pressures were not up to standard.
Zenith, the UK’s leading independent fleet management and vehicle leasing specialist, explained that “rolling resistance” was a serious problem for electric cars in the same way as combustion models. Petrol and diesel cars tend to lose fuel efficiency if they are driving around on low tyre pressures, with electric vehicles also suffering the same issue.
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Andy Wolff, Managing Director, Corporate at Zenith urged road users to “avoid the ‘tyre pressure tax” in an urgent warning to motorists.
Andy explained: “Tyres play a huge and often overlooked role in battery range due to ‘rolling resistance’. When a tyre rolls, they naturally lose a small amount of energy which can significantly increase when tyres are under-inflated. This forces the battery to use more energy to move the vehicle and reduces overall range – much like a petrol car burning more fuel on soft tyres.
“To get the most out of your miles, you need to minimise this resistance. Checking your tyre pressure monthly and keeping it at the manufacturer’s recommended level can reduce strain on the vehicle and help protect the battery’s longevity too.”
According to experts at TyreSafe, pressures can actually have “an even greater impact on EV efficiency than on internal-combustion vehicles”. They warned that an underinflated tyre can increase rolling resistance by as much as 10% which would have a direct impact on driving ranges.
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They urged individuals to check their tyre pressures at least every two weeks and perhaps even more often in winter when pressures naturally fall. Tyre manufacturer Michelin have also revealed the impact tyre pressures can have on electric models.
Michelin said: “The pressure of your electric car tyres is also a significant factor that affects the average distance an electric car can go. Driving with under-inflated tyres will result in unnecessary electricity consumption, as the tyres require more energy to roll.
"In addition, incorrectly inflated tyres can lead to premature wear and tear."
