Electric vehicles (EVs) are nearly twice as likely as petrol cars to experience tyre defects, according to an analysis of more than 47 million UK Ministry of Transport (MoT) tests conducted over the past two years. The research attributes this disparity largely to the added weight of EV batteries and the immediate torque delivered by electric motors, which place greater stress on tyres.

The study found that some early EV models incurred what researchers described as a “tyre tax,” referring to higher repair costs driven by increased tyre wear and damage. Older EVs that share chassis designs with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles were found to be the most affected, experiencing 1.8 times more tyre-related defects overall. In contrast, newer EV models designed with dedicated electric platforms showed considerably fewer tyre issues.

Batteries in electric cars can weigh upwards of 300 kilograms, necessitating specialized suspension systems to evenly distribute this additional mass. Without such engineering adjustments, tyres are more prone to slipping during rapid acceleration or lateral movement when cornering. Moreover, the instant low-end torque typical of EVs compounds this stress, accelerating tyre wear. Premium tyre replacements can cost more than £250 per unit.

Specific models highlighted in the analysis include the Nissan e-NV200, which exhibited nearly seven times more tyre defects than its diesel counterpart, the VW e-Golf, with almost five times more, and the Hyundai Kona Electric, with four times more defects compared to its petrol version. Newer models such as the BMW i3, Kia Niro EV, and Hyundai Ioniq Electric generally performed better in terms of tyre durability.

Despite these challenges, the research also highlighted areas where EVs outperformed petrol and diesel vehicles. For cars with mileage between 90,000 and 120,000 miles, EVs had a lower MoT failure rate—16.5 percent compared with 22 percent for petrol vehicles. Additionally, EVs were less likely to suffer defects in suspension and brake systems and, lacking exhaust systems, avoided related reliability issues.

Toby Poston, chief executive of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, which commissioned the study, emphasized that the tyre wear problem mainly stemmed from the initial generation of EVs. “Many early EVs were adapted from platforms originally designed for petrol or diesel engines, with a heavy battery added to a chassis that wasn’t optimised for it,” he said. Poston noted that modern EV platforms distribute battery weight more effectively, resulting in more modest tyre wear.

Steve Walker of Auto Express cautioned that the study primarily examined older EVs and did not factor in the types of tyres used. He suggested that advancements in EV design and specialised tyres are likely to improve durability at future MoT inspections.

Several EV owners have echoed these concerns. Wesley Rock, a consultant from Kent, reported spending £1,000 on five tyre replacements within a year of owning an MG4. He described experiencing tyre blowouts during routine driving maneuvers, such as mounting kerbs or pulling over on narrow country lanes, events he said occur frequently in everyday use.

The research, conducted by New AutoMotive, an organisation promoting electric car adoption, represents one of the most extensive examinations of MoT data to date regarding EV maintenance challenges.