EV specific winter tires

[Naby]

Does anyone have experience with EV specific winter tires on their LEAF? Is there a real, noticable difference vs regular winter tires?

Thank you,

Jan

 

[MillerLF]

My friend in MI got X-ice tires from 4Wheelonline last winter and felt a great difference. He got hybrid though

 

[jimmol]

Second Michelin X-Ice. My 2015 leaf was better in the snow than our 2016 Traverse wit snow tires.

 

[Naby]

Are x-ice EV specific tires? I thought those were just regular good winter tires not specifically designed for EVs

 

[RPaulThomas]

Are x-ice EV specific tires? I thought those were just regular good winter tires not specifically designed for EVs

I also have X-Ice, and no they are not EV specific. If you're driving in winter conditions a lot then energy use is far from top of the list, safety is #1. Traction and efficiency are polar opposites for tires. Just expect the lower range but safer ride. And I run at 35 psi or even less to get good grip.

 

[Naby]

Where I live, winter tires are mandatory so it's not a question of "if" but rather "which tires". When I got my Leaf in 2018, I got a set of Gislaved. I was quite happy with them but they need to be replaced. Back then, I don't think there were any EV specific tires. Now, I see:

- HankookiON
- Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Pirelli P Zero Winter
- Nokian Hakkapeliita 10 EV

All winter tires specifically designed for EVs. Or so their marketing claims...

 

[Naby]

Nevermind... None of those tires are available for 17in wheels...

 

[frontrangeleaf]

We use Vredstein WinterTrack Pros in 205/55R17. They work well, and don't cost too much in range. We do have the bigger battery, and only drive in the urban corridor with this car.

YMMV

We have Haakapelitta's for our Audi. Great winter tire - that's the winter car/camper tug/family vacation mobile. Right tool for those jobs.

 

[Caliwish]

Just switched to Michelin X-Ice and even my wife notices the smooth ride. Loving them so far.

 

[Gerhard]

3 winters on my X-Ice and the car performs great in winter, I was going to put them back on last weekend but other stuff got in the way.

 

[DougWantsALeaf]

We went with crossclimate2s, but in Chicago winter snow isn't that bad. We leave them in year round. A little noisy in summer, but not enough that I care as my young adult daughter drives the car.

 

[flydiver]

Not EV ( I do have a Leaf) but 2015 Prius. VERY 'drummy/noisy' car on bad roads, disconcertingly so. Went with 17" Altimax RT63 (Consumer Reports recommendation) when I got new tires. A bit quieter and a tad smoother.
When I put on 15" Blizzak snow tires (original rims) I expected more noise and worse efficiency. BUT - to my great surprise they were quieter, had BETTER efficiency, and rode better. Nice improvement. Did not pine to go back to the 17" wheels at all.
Last winter I went to Michelin X-ice. Pretty much the same story.

The Prius with snow tires on it is BETTER in the snow than my old Subaru Legacy with all season tires-good ones. I was amazed. The Blizzaks were my first experience with full snow tires even though I've been skiing in the NW for 25 years.