A comprehensive analysis of 47 million UK MOT tests indicates that electric vehicles are almost twice as likely to experience tyre failures compared to petrol cars.. This trend is primarily driven by the heavy mass of batteries and the immediate torque generated by electric motors .
The 500kg Battery Burden and Instant Torque
The physical demands placed on electric vehicle (EV) tyres are significantly higher than those on traditional internal combustion engines. according to the report commissioned by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), an EV battery typically weighs between 300 and 500kg, which can represent up to 25 per cent of the total vehicle weight. This added mass creates constant downward pressure that accelerates tread wear.
Beyond weight, the nature of electric propulsion introduces a second stressor. While petrol engines build power gradually, electric motors deliver maximum torque almost instantly. As reported by New AutoMotive, this immediate force puts intense strain on the rubber from the moment of acceleration, leading to what researchers describe as a "tyre tax" in the form of increased repair and replacement costs for owners.
Nissan e-NV200 and VW e-Golf Lead the Defect Rates
The data reveals a stark contrast between specific electric models and their combustion counterparts. The Nissan e-NV200 was highlighted as a primary example, experiencing nearly seven additional tyre defects per 100 cars when compared to its diesel equivalent. Similarly, the VW e-Golf showed almost five more defects than its petrol version, and the Hyundai Kona Electric recorded four extra defects per 100 vehicles.
However, the research suggests that engineering evolves quickly. Newer models such as the BMW i3, Kia Niro EV, and Hyundai Ioniq Electric performed significantly better . These vehicles are designed to distribute the heavy battery load more evenly across the chassis, proving that strategic weight distribution can mitigate the inerent risks of EV mass.
A 16.5% Failure Rate for High-Mileage EVs
While tyres are a weak point, the broader mechanical reliability of electric vehicles often surpasses that of petrol cars as they age . For vehicles with between 90,000 and 120,000 miles, the failure rate for MOT tests was only 16.5 per cent for electric cars, compared to a higher 22 per cent for petrol vehicles of similar age and mileage.
This disparity exists because electric vehicles lack complex exhaust systems and have fewer moving parts to fail. According to the BVRLA, this challenges the long-held industry assumption that high mileage automatically equates to high mechanical risk. Toby Poston, chief executive of the BVRLA, suggests that consumers should rethink their perception of high-mileage used EVs, as they can be extremely durable despite the increased need for tyre maintenance.
Steve Walker's Question on Specialist Tyre Technology
Despite the scale of the 47-million-test study, some critical variables remain unverified. Steve Walker, head of digital content at Auto Express, noted that the research focuses heavily on older electric cars and does not specify the exact types of tyres being used during the tests. This leaves a significant gap in the data: it is unclear if these defects occurred on standard tyres or those specifically engineered for EVs.
Because EV-grade reinforced tyres and active tyre-pressure monitoring systems are becoming more common,it remains to be seen if modern fleet deployments will see a drop in failure rates. As Steve Walker suggested, the industry may see a marked improvement in these statistics when the current generation of new electric cars reaches their first MOT milestones in three years.
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