Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - 50% of your EV energy consumption comes from wheels and tires

bwilson4web · 11-07-2023, 10:07 AM

I appreciate the reports you've accumulated. About two years ago, the video author did a YouTube video about EV wheel size vs efficiency:
https://youtu.be/NYvKxsYFqO8?si=Rwh6LX41z47XUgfG&t=382

Here is another analysis with an EV emphasis on efficiency impact:
https://youtu.be/8pM9o2Ifcro?si=oc7e1923zbc2_X1Q

A former bicyclist (1970s), I had direct mechanical input to the size of the tires. Fatter, wider tires required significantly more force to move but they could deal with soft and rough terrain. In contrast, narrow, high-pressure tires, 100 psi, were almost effortless on pavement compared to fatter, wider, lower pressure, 50 psi tires. Even today, my BMW i3 has taller, narrower tires than my Tesla Model 3.

There is a lot of 'tire marketing' versus 'tire testing'. Worse, tire models within a brand can (and do) easily disappear or get changed. That part is maddening.

I monitor both tire pressure and temperature. The temperature seems to correlate with rolling resistance, higher temperature, higher rolling drag.

Speculation, we could put different tires on the non-driven wheels and after alignment, observe temperature on the road at the same tire pressure. The cooler tire would be the more efficient. Get a second, efficient one and the less efficient tire goes into storage, returned, or sold.

Bob Wilson

11-07-2023, 10:07 AM	#98 (permalink)
bwilson4web Engineering first Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 843 17 i3-REx - '14 BMW i3-REx Last 3: 45.67 mpg (US) Blue Bob's - '19 Tesla Std Rng Plus Thanks: 94 Thanked 248 Times in 157 Posts	I appreciate the reports you've accumulated. About two years ago, the video author did a YouTube video about EV wheel size vs efficiency: https://youtu.be/NYvKxsYFqO8?si=Rwh6LX41z47XUgfG&t=382 Here is another analysis with an EV emphasis on efficiency impact: https://youtu.be/8pM9o2Ifcro?si=oc7e1923zbc2_X1Q A former bicyclist (1970s), I had direct mechanical input to the size of the tires. Fatter, wider tires required significantly more force to move but they could deal with soft and rough terrain. In contrast, narrow, high-pressure tires, 100 psi, were almost effortless on pavement compared to fatter, wider, lower pressure, 50 psi tires. Even today, my BMW i3 has taller, narrower tires than my Tesla Model 3. There is a lot of 'tire marketing' versus 'tire testing'. Worse, tire models within a brand can (and do) easily disappear or get changed. That part is maddening. I monitor both tire pressure and temperature. The temperature seems to correlate with rolling resistance, higher temperature, higher rolling drag. Speculation, we could put different tires on the non-driven wheels and after alignment, observe temperature on the road at the same tire pressure. The cooler tire would be the more efficient. Get a second, efficient one and the less efficient tire goes into storage, returned, or sold. Bob Wilson __________________ 2019 Tesla Model 3 Std. Range Plus - 215 mi EV 2017 BMW i3-REx - 106 mi EV, 88 mi mid-grade Retired engineer, Huntsville, AL