Taller tires = more range on highway?

[coloradoman]

I have been thinking of upgrading my stock 205/55/16 to 205/60/16. I think it will help with making those bumps and pot holes seem a bit smaller. I wasn't sure though if it will actually help with my range, since I am mostly driving at 65-80 mph. I won't do it if it decreases my range. Fixing the darn spedo with it being fast by 5% would be another bonus.

Like in gas cars, taller tires generally help keep the rpms down at highway speeds which helps mpg. With electric cars, I really have no idea if it will help. I think the thing that kills the range on electric cars is wind resistance and weight.

Here would be the actual difference in diameter between these sizes.
24.9"
25.7"
+3.2%
I am thinking each tire would probably weight maybe a lb more.

[GerryAZ]

You can go up one size in aspect ratio (middle number) without significant impact to efficiency. Tire rolling resistance makes more difference than size. I put one size larger Bridgestone Ecopia Plus tires on my 2015 and saw an increase in efficiency compared to the sport performance Continentals I had on it before or the OEM Michelins. Original size was 215/50 R17 and the Bridgestones were 215/55 R17. Also, the 215/55 R17 size was readily available and a little less cost than special order to get original size.

[coloradoman]

You can go up one size in aspect ratio (middle number) without significant impact to efficiency. Tire rolling resistance makes more difference than size. I put one size larger Bridgestone Ecopia Plus tires on my 2015 and saw an increase in efficiency compared to the sport performance Continentals I had on it before or the OEM Michelins. Original size was 215/50 R17 and the Bridgestones were 215/55 R17. Also, the 215/55 R17 size was readily available and a little less cost than special order to get original size.

Why would you see an efficency increase? It doesn't make sense. That is probably a whole inch larger in diameter. Everyone here has been saying you should have had a decrease

[LeftieBiker]

Tire rolling resistance makes more difference than size.

That is why.

[Oilpan4]

I second that.

I tried to put 2 tires that were considered "average rolling resistance" according to the euro tire rating system and they killed my range, I went from 4 miles per kwh down to 3.
After 4,000 miles they had gotten a little better but I had to replace them with real high end Michelin tires with an A+ LRR.

Here is a file from a 2011 article that I found a few years ago, but now the link is dead.

tirempg.jpg

I searched around and found the only tire that could beat the ecopia was the energy saver, as far as tires sold in the US.

[HerdingElectrons]

In the world of PriusChat nothing trumps Michelin Energy Savers if you're doing your part behind the wheel for efficiency & they have a far larger user base to improve n factor

[DougWantsALeaf]

I find the Michelin’s on our SV+ excellent in both efficiency and road traction.

[GerryAZ]

I found Bridgestone Ecopia Pluses to have much better wet traction and lower rolling resistance than the OEM Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires that came on the 2015. The OEM Michelins on the 2019 seem to have a bit better traction than the ones that came on the 2015, but I will still put something better on as soon as they wear out.

[coloradoman]

I am guessing 2 sets of tires of the same brand and type with different sizes, one being taller than the other will lower range for the taller one?

[rmay635703]

205/65r16’s would likely fit fine and be cheaper to source but may kill your range if not Lrr