You’ve probably heard the line: “EVs eat tyres.” Then you talk to a mate who’s done 70,000 km on a Polestar 2 and wonder who to believe. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: both can be right. Heavier, high‑torque EVs can wear tyres faster than a comparable petrol car, but tyre life still swings wildly based on wheel size, compound, pressures, alignment and how you drive.

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Tyre choice and condition influence EV ownership costs.

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Quick story. A Wellington driver with a Polestar 2 on 20‑inch performance tyres saw the fronts gone at 32,000 km. Same commute, same driver, but swapped to a durable EV‑touring tyre on 19‑inch wheels and started checking pressures monthly - next set hit 60,000 km. Same car, different approach, totally different result.

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If you want a simple starting point: independent testing has shown higher tyre mass loss on heavier, high‑torque EVs, and owners report anywhere from around 25,000-80,000 km on a set depending on the setup. The trick is shifting how you choose and care for tyres so you land in the upper half of that range.

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What if tyre life isn’t about “EV vs petrol” at all?

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The biggest misconception is comparing drivetrains rather than loads. Tyres don’t “see” petrol or electrons - they feel mass and torque.

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Think of tyres like hiking boots. A heavy pack and sprinting downhill will shred soles faster than a light stroll, regardless of brand. EVs often bring both the heavy pack (2.1-2.5 tonnes for vehicles like the Polestar 2 and Zeekr 7X) and the urge to sprint (instant torque). That’s the real story.

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Traditional buyer logic - “get the grippiest tyre on the biggest rims” or just “buy whatever’s cheapest” - leads to regret because it ignores:

Load index and casing strength needed for heavier EVs.
Rotation options (staggered setups can’t rotate, doubling the penalty for poor alignment).
Compound trade‑offs between grip, noise, range and abrasion.

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Better questions to ask yourself:

Do these tyres meet or exceed the load index on my door placard, and are they XL‑rated if required?
Will my wheel setup allow rotation, and if not, what’s my plan to manage wear?
Am I choosing a compound and treadwear rating to match my driving (touring vs performance) and local roads?

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What does the data actually say about weight, torque and wear?

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Independent testing has recorded higher tyre mass loss on EVs than comparable petrol cars on the same tyres, with one dataset showing about a quarter more tyre mass loss on the EV. Heavier kerb weight and low‑speed torque are the culprits, not the fuel type.
Academic reviews in 2024-2025 emphasise vehicle mass and driving style as key drivers of tyre wear and particle emissions, while also noting measurement methods are still evolving.
Owner reports on Polestar 2 tyre life vary widely: many see roughly 40,000-80,000 km on original tyres with sensible driving and maintenance, while others - especially on 20‑inch performance rubber or misaligned setups - report 16,000-40,000 km.
Newer, heavier EV SUVs such as the Zeekr 7X land in the 2.3-2.5‑tonne bracket with strong torque. Without the right tyres and care, conservative life expectations are prudent.
Regenerative braking slashes brake pad wear, but it doesn’t save tyres. In some patterns it can even shift wear to particular tyres or parts of the tread.

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Costs to you if you get it wrong:

Financial: extra sets over the life of the car, plus higher prices for big‑diameter tyres.
Time: more frequent fittings and alignments to fix uneven wear.
Confidence: reduced wet‑weather grip as tyres age faster than expected.

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How does this play out in your week?

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Imagine two Mondays.

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In Auckland, you punch the Polestar 2 onto the motorway, enjoying that instant shove, then brake hard into traffic. Pressures drifted a bit over winter, you haven’t checked alignment since whacking that pothole on the South Western. The outside shoulders start feathering, the fronts go noisy on coarse chip seal, and by 30,000 km you’re shopping for replacements.

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Now picture the same commute with a few tweaks. You swapped to an EV‑rated touring tyre with a higher treadwear number, set pressures to the placard cold, and used Eco mode around town. You asked the tyre shop for an XL load rating to suit the kerb weight, and you book an alignment every 12 months or after a hit. Suddenly the car feels calmer, range is steady, and you’re still above 3 mm of tread at 50,000-60,000 km.

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It’s not about babying the car. It’s about giving the tyres what they need to cope with weight and torque so you can enjoy the performance without the penalty.

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So how should you choose tyres differently for an EV?

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Use the TREAD framework. It’s simple, memorable, and it works for both Polestar 2 and Zeekr 7X.

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T Tyre spec and load: Match or exceed the load index on your door placard. For heavy trims, look for XL (extra load) tyres with reinforced casings designed for EVs.
R Rotation and rims: Know whether your wheels allow rotation. Staggered setups or directional patterns limit options; if rotation is off the table, alignment and pressure discipline become non‑negotiable.
E EV‑tuned compound: Prioritise EV‑specific lines from major brands. These aim to balance abrasion resistance, range and noise. Touring‑oriented EV tyres tend to outlast soft performance compounds.
A Alignment always: Annual alignment is cheap insurance, and mandatory after pothole hits or uneven wear. Balance matters too, particularly with large rims.
D Driver inputs: Instant torque is fun, but repeated hard launches and late braking accelerate wear. Smooth inputs and Eco/Comfort modes make a measurable difference.

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Wear patterns reveal whether you picked the right tyre and setup.

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Questions to ask a tyre shop or when reading product pages:

What is the load index and is it XL‑rated?
Is this tyre from the brand’s EV line, and what do they say about wear and noise on heavier EVs?
What’s the treadwear rating or mileage testing data for this size?
Will my wheels allow front‑rear rotation, and if not, how should I manage wear?

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What’s the practical plan for Polestar 2 and Zeekr 7X owners?

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\n Step 1: Nail the basics\n
- Pressures: Set cold to the vehicle placard and check monthly and before road trips. Underinflation is the fastest legal way to bin a tyre early.
- Alignment: Book annually and after impacts. If shoulders show uneven wear or the steering pulls, don’t wait.
- Legalities: NZ and Australia both set a 1.5 mm minimum tread depth. Replace earlier (around 2-3 mm) for wet‑road safety, especially on coarse chip surfaces common here.
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\n Step 2: Choose the right tyre type\n
- Touring EV tyres: Best for longevity, comfort and range. Suits most daily driving.
- Performance EV tyres: Sharper grip and steering feel, but expect shorter life and often higher replacement cost.
- Always match or exceed the OEM load index. For heavier trims and SUVs, reinforced casings are your friend.
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\n Step 3: Pick the right wheel strategy\n
- If you’re on 20‑inch wheels (common on Polestar 2 Performance), expect shorter life and higher prices. If tyre budget matters, consider 18-19‑inch wheels with taller sidewalls - many owners make this swap and see calmer ride and longer life.
- If your setup is staggered and rotation isn’t possible, plan on replacing by axle and be religious about pressures and alignment.
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\n Step 4: Brand lines to consider\n
- Michelin e.Primacy and Pilot Sport EV: EV‑focused construction; the Pilot Sport EV suits sportier trims, the e.Primacy suits commuters.
- Bridgestone Turanza/ENLITEN family: Often OE on EVs; strong focus on rolling resistance with competitive wear on certain sizes.
- Continental EcoContact and other EV fitments: Low rolling resistance and broad size coverage.
- Pirelli Cinturato/P Zero Elect, plus Hankook, Nokian and Vredestein EV lines: Worth a look where sizes suit.
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\n Step 5: Driving and maintenance habits\n
- Use Eco or Comfort modes day‑to‑day; save Sport for open, dry roads.
- Avoid repeated hard launches; traction control can help, but the rubber still pays.
- Rotate when possible (check your manual). Typical intervals are 10,000-15,000 km, but adjust to actual wear patterns.
- Replace in pairs on the same axle to maintain handling balance.
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Polestar 2 specifics

Expect higher wear on 20‑inch performance tyres versus 19‑inch. Many owners report meaningfully longer life after moving to durable touring EV tyres.
Some Polestar 2 setups are staggered, limiting rotation. If you can’t rotate, be stricter with alignment and pressures, and budget for more frequent front replacements.
Real‑world reports span roughly 40,000-80,000 km on sensible setups, with 16,000-40,000 km common on aggressive driving or soft compounds.

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Zeekr 7X specifics

At roughly 2.3-2.5 tonnes on some trims with strong torque, load index and casing strength are critical. Choose XL‑rated tyres from EV ranges.
If fitted with big‑diameter wheels, consider a more durable compound or, if permitted, downsizing rims for better ride and longevity.
Plan conservatively on tyre life unless you proactively manage pressures, alignment and driving inputs.

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Controversies and gaps you should know about

Attention‑grabbing headlines about tyres “polluting more than exhausts” stem from work showing tyre mass emissions can exceed regulated tailpipe particulate mass. The nuance: it’s a tyre‑versus‑tailpipe comparison and varies by vehicle, tyre and use. The conclusion is not “EVs pollute more overall,” but “weight and torque drive tyre wear.”
Measurement standards for tyre wear particles are still evolving. Different studies track different metrics, so precise apples‑to‑apples claims are hard.
Retail estimates like “EV tyres wear 20-30% faster” are averages, not guarantees. Owner reports are valuable but anecdotal. Your results hinge on your choices.
Trade‑offs are real: very durable compounds may add a whisker of braking distance or noise; ultra‑grippy tyres wear sooner. EV‑specific tyres aim for balance, not magic.

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Your next move

Check your placard for size and load index, then shortlist EV‑specific tyres that meet or exceed it.
Decide your priority: maximum life (touring EV tyre and, if practical, smaller rims) or maximum grip (performance EV tyre, accept shorter life).
Book an alignment and start a monthly pressure habit. It’s the cheapest “extra set of tyres” you’ll ever buy.
If you drive a heavy, high‑torque EV like a Polestar 2 Performance or Zeekr 7X, assume you’re harder on tyres than a small ICE hatch. Plan accordingly and you’ll still enjoy strong range, quiet cabins and confident wet‑road grip - without burning cash on premature replacements.

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The shift is simple: stop thinking “EVs eat tyres” and start thinking “weight and torque need the right tyre, setup and habits.”

Do EVs Really Eat Tyres?