This is a sponsored article from our partners at Sailun Tires.
The industry has progressed to the point that many modern cars leave the factory with wheels that dwarf even the largest aftermarket wheels from just a decade ago. Automakers offer wheels in sizes that reach 24 inches in some cases, which often look great but have downsides that can impact several areas of a vehicle’s performance, including ride quality, interior sound levels, fuel economy, and acceleration. Those effects can be amplified for electric vehicles, where small changes can have a noticeable impact on the driving range and efficiency.
While it’s possible to change wheel sizes with nearly any vehicle, it’s important to note that swapping one size for another can impact an EV’s range, even if the resulting combined wheel and tire diameter doesn’t change from the previous setup. Automakers carefully select wheel and tire sizes to maximize efficiency and performance, and changing the factory setup might come with more negative effects than positive ones. Let’s take a closer look at how wheel sizes can impact EV performance and range.
The Basics of Changing Wheel Sizes
All modern vehicles come with a variety of computers and sensors that monitor everything from the engine oil temperature to how much windshield washer fluid is left in the reservoir. They also track the vehicle’s speed and odometer mileage, which are calculated based on the speed at which the wheels turn. Larger wheels and tires that exceed the factory diameter measurements can cause the speedometer to read a lower speed and the odometer to count fewer miles. The same is true in reverse if the wheel and tire diameter are smaller than the factory setup.
Anyone looking to increase their vehicle’s wheel size must also reduce the tire’s sidewall height to match the original combined size of the factory wheel and tire. At the same time, installing lower-profile tires means that there is less rubber between the wheels and the road, which can lead to a less comfortable ride.
How EV Wheel Sizes Impact the Range
Many new EVs come with tires designed to reduce friction and rolling resistance, such as the Sailun ERange EV tire. They feature a unique tread pattern, specialized rubber compounds, and other features that help maximize EV range while retaining pleasant driving dynamics, low sound levels, and superior durability. It’s possible to replace those tires with a set not designed for EVs, but you may lose some of the benefits baked into the specialized products.
If you plan to increase your wheel size, you’ll need new tires. You may be able to find EV-specific tires that fit the larger wheels, but a jump in wheel diameter usually comes with an increase in width. That brings more rolling resistance to the tire, even if the wheel and tire diameter match up with the original set. Beyond negatively impacting your driving range and comfort, you may also find that wider wheels rub the inside of the wheel wells, and the turning and braking performance may be different than you expect.
It's also important to consider wheel weight, which contributes to what is known as unsprung weight. The term refers to vehicle components such as the wheels and tires, braking system, and more. Thanks to advances in materials technologies, many newer performance wheels are lighter than the factory setup, but others add weight, especially as the size increases. Heavier wheels require more energy to turn and can place a greater strain on an EV’s battery.
Other Factors to Consider with EV Wheel Sizes
Beyond the range and performance, here are several things you need to consider. Quality aftermarket wheels are expensive, and that’s before you shop for the larger tires required to wrap them. Electric vehicles also tend to wear through tires faster than equivalent gas models, so you could be on the hook to pay for more frequent tire replacements at a higher cost.
Some aftermarket wheels might look odd on your vehicle, even if you love the design. Running wider wheels with the factory hubs and components could cause the wheel to protrude from the wheel wells, giving your car a “skateboard” look. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the wheels you select have a load rating that can accommodate your EV’s hefty curb weight.
Finally, think about your passengers. Going up an inch or two in wheel sizes means reducing the tire sidewall by the same amount, which can drastically impact your EV’s ride quality and interior noise levels. Tires like the Sailun ERange are designed to cut noise levels, which can be pronounced in electric vehicles without a gas engine and mechanical sounds to drown them out.
You’ll have a much better experience with aftermarket wheels if you’ve done your homework and carefully considered the side effects that may arise. If you want to learn more about how Sailun’s ERange tires can make a difference for your EV, please visit erangetires.com.
