At Tire Reviews, we frequently receive inquiries from electric vehicle (EV) owners about whether they should continue using the original equipment (OE) tires designed for their EVs, switch to a newer specific EV tire, or opt for a standard aftermarket tire. It seems that German publication AutoBild has encountered similar questions, as they recently conducted a test comparing three tire types on a Tesla Model S.
In this test, AutoBild compared the OE Michelin Pilot Sport 3, the latest aftermarket version (Michelin Pilot Sport 5), and the new EV-specific aftermarket tire, the Hankook iON Evo. This examination addresses numerous concerns and provides valuable insights for EV owners.
Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
- Wet Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
Range Impact
The first question most EV owners have is what will happen to their range if they fit an aftermarket tire, as the factory fit tire will almost certainly be optimized for low energy use.
In this test, the OE tire actually used the highest amount of energy, being narrowly beaten by the newer Pilot Sport 5. However, if you're someone who stresses about charging, the aftermarket Hankook iON Evo proved to have a clear advantage, 1.5kg/t which would result in the Tesla achieving about 5%, or 19 miles extra range per charge!
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra energy / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.21 kg/t | Best | $0 | |
| 7.67 kg/t | +1.46 kg/t | $31 | |
| 7.78 kg/t | +1.57 kg/t | $33 |
The difference between best and worst was 25.3% (1.57 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $0.15/kWh, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 uses about 220 kWh ($33) more electricity than the Hankook iON Evo.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.
Wet Performance
Many assume that improved range comes at the cost of reduced wet grip. A glance at the aquaplaning results might reinforce this assumption, as the OE tire excelled while the Hankook iON Evo lagged behind, about 5% worse than the best performer. However, various techniques can optimize tires for heavier, more powerful electric vehicles. These optimizations seemed to have paid off, as the Hankook iON Evo posted the fastest wet handling lap time and the shortest wet braking distance by a significant margin.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 143 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 155 ft | +12 ft | 23 mph | |
| 160 ft | +17 ft | 26 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 12.2% (17 ft ≈ 1.2 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 would still be travelling at 26 mph when the Hankook iON Evo had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 48.0 mph | Best | |
| 47.7 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 46.7 mph | -1.3 mph |
All the tires in the Wet Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 60.2 mph | Best | |
| 58.2 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 56.5 mph | -3.7 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 6.2% (3.7 mph).
Dry
When it comes to dry performance, the OE tire falls short once again. Although the Hankook iON Evo slightly outperformed the Pilot Sport 5 in dry braking, the Pilot Sport 5 had a small edge in dry handling, delivering the fastest lap time and superior subjective handling among the group.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 111 ft | 0 ft | 4 mph | |
| 116 ft | +5 ft | 18 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 5.3% (5 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 would still be travelling at 18 mph when the Hankook iON Evo had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 67.8 mph | Best | |
| 67.3 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 65.7 mph | -2.1 mph |
All the tires in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Price
In an unusual twist, the best overall tires in this test were also the most affordable. The OE tires cost roughly 200 euros more per set than the Hankook iON Evo, proving that sometimes, the most expensive option isn't always the best choice for your vehicle. The aftermarket Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires sat in the middle of the two sets.
Results
Hankook iON Evo
245/45 R19
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (6)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 1st / 3 | 111 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 3 | 67.3 mph | -0.5 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 3 | 143 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 3 | 48.0 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 3rd / 3 | 56.5 mph | -3.7 mph |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 1st / 3 | 6.21 kg/t | Best in this discipline |
- EU Label
- A/A/69
- Price
- 900.00
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
245/45 R19
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (6)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 3 | 111 ft | 0 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 3 | 67.8 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 3 | 155 ft | +12 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 3 | 47.7 mph | -0.3 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 2nd / 3 | 58.2 mph | -2.0 mph |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 2nd / 3 | 7.67 kg/t | +1.46 kg/t |
- EU Label
- C/A/72
- Price
- 1000.00
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
245/45 R19
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (6)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 3 | 116 ft | +5 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 3 | 65.7 mph | -2.1 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 3 | 160 ft | +17 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 3 | 46.7 mph | -1.3 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 1st / 3 | 60.2 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 3rd / 3 | 7.78 kg/t | +1.57 kg/t |
- EU Label
- C/B/71
- Price
- 1100.00
what about treadlife?
It wasn't tested in this test.
Hi Joe, thanks for posting this cool Test and overview, that Hankook EV Tire does a really good job compared to the France profi’s. Hope there will be some more ev-tire tests coming up this year. Thanks for your great work , the best platform out there ! regards from Switzerland 🇨🇭