Torque and large batteries cause electric vehicles’ worn tyres to fail MoT

Due to their worn-out tyres, electric and hybrid cars fail MoT inspections more often than gasoline or diesel vehicles, but they do so more frequently.

Analysis of 49.9 million MoT tests conducted between 2019 and 2018 reveals that 14.84% of hybrid and 17.87% of fully electric vehicles failed the test on the first try.

The rates for gasoline and diesel vehicles were respectively 20.1 and 23.1%.

The main difference is believed to be caused by the fact that conventional engines have more moving parts than electric vehicle (EV) power plants, which means there is more room for error.

However, the survey by the sales website carwow also discovered that, compared to 28.2% of diesel and 25.9% of petrol cars, 36.2% of electric and 33.2% of hybrid vehicles that failed the first time had tyres below the legal requirement.

AA believes that electric cars may fail due to worn out tyres because accelerate more quickly than most petrol or diesel vehicles

The quick torque of electric power and the additional weight of a large battery, according to experts, are two factors that contribute to tyre wear.

“The rapid torque and added heft is brutal on tyres — it should be a massive wake-up call to drivers to inspect their tyres,” said Hugo Griffiths of carwow.

But in response to the study’s findings, AA President Edmund King stated: “Most EV tyres are specialised and constructed from more durable compositions with stronger side walls. Driving habits and road conditions have the biggest impacts on tyre wear.

The RAC’s Simon Williams said, “We believe their greater failure rate for damaged tyres may be more related to driving patterns than anything else.”

Because electric cars accelerate more rapidly than the majority of gasoline or diesel vehicles, drivers who take advantage of this will wear out their tyres more quickly than those who drive more cautiously.