Best EV tyres in Australia, tested and compared
For most EVs, the Hankook iON evo is the best all-rounder: it won Auto Bild's 2025 EV tyre test with the shortest dry braking, near-best wet braking and good range. If you want the most range, the Falken e.Ziex rolls easiest but wears fastest; for the longest life, the Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 lasted about 49,000 km. The new Michelin Primacy 5 is a good EV tyre too: it stops much shorter in the wet than the older e.Primacy, for a small loss of range.
Independent test: eight tyres on an EV
Auto Bild tested eight tyres in size 215/55 R18 on a Hyundai Kona Electric in 2025. Shorter braking is better; lower rolling resistance means more range. Range is calculated from the test data, not driven.
| Tyre | Wet braking (m) | Dry braking (m) | Rolling resistance (kg/t) | Range (km) | Wear life (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hankook iON evo Test winner | 39.6 | 33.6 | 6.81 | 381 | 43,120 |
| Continental PremiumContact 7 Best wet braking | 39.4 | 34.5 | 7.66 | 344 | 40,890 |
| Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV Longest life | 42.2 | 35.9 | 7.15 | 373 | 49,050 |
| Michelin Primacy 4+ | 43.2 | 35.1 | 6.51 | 377 | 44,920 |
| Falken e.Ziex Best range | 45.6 | 35.7 | 5.86 | 410 | 36,790 |
| Firestone Roadhawk 2 Enliten | 41.8 | 36.6 | 7.33 | 353 | 28,510 |
| Yokohama BluEarth-XT AE61 Quietest | 44.9 | 36.6 | 7.58 | 373 | 30,280 |
| Goodride Solmax 1 Last place | 48.7 | 37.8 | 7.22 | 373 | 31,030 |
Source: Auto Bild 2025 EV tyre test, via Tyre Reviews. Overseas test; most of these tyres are sold in Australia, but check your size is available.
Michelin Primacy 5 or e.Primacy?
The e.Primacy was Michelin's low-rolling-resistance tyre for EVs; the Primacy 5 (2025) replaces the Primacy 4+ as Michelin's main touring tyre. In a 2025 head-to-head test:
| 225/55 R18 test | e.Primacy | Primacy 5 | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet braking | 54.7 m | 48.8 m | Primacy 5 |
| Dry braking | 38.1 m | 38.6 m | About equal |
| Rolling resistance (lower = more range) | 6.3 | 6.8 | e.Primacy |
| Cabin noise | 63.6 dB | 63.3 dB | About equal |
| Expected life | about 71,500 km | about 71,100 km | About equal |
The e.Primacy squeezes out a little more range, but the Primacy 5 stops about 6 metres shorter in the wet from the same speed, costs a bit less, and lasts about as long. For most EV drivers in Australia, the Primacy 5 is the better all-round choice; pick the e.Primacy only if range is your top priority and you rarely drive in the rain. Reports say Michelin is phasing the e.Primacy out for a newer range, so stock may get harder to find.
Source: ABV 2025 summer tyre test and ADAC wear data, compared by TopTireReview.
What EV tyres cost in Australia
Fitted price per tyre, including fitting and balancing, July 2026. Prices vary by store and change often, so get two or three quotes.
| Car | Size | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 255/45 R19 | $220–$250 | $410–$590 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV about $500–$540 |
| BYD Atto 3 | 215/55 R18 | $180–$220 | $230–$300 | Premium EV tyres $320–$420 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 235/55 R19 | from $195 | $300–$500 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV $500+ |
| MG4 | 215/50 R17 | from $135 | $200–$250 |
Source: Gridly EV tyre cost survey (July 2026); Costco Australia (Pilot Sport EV 255/45 R19, $499.99 fitted, November 2026).
Which tyre suits you?
- Best all-rounder: Hankook iON evo. Strong in wet and dry, good range, quiet. Made for EVs.
- Best in the wet: Continental PremiumContact 7 or Michelin Primacy 5, at the cost of a little range.
- Longest life: Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV, about 49,000 km in testing.
- Most range: Falken e.Ziex, but it wears fastest and is weaker in the wet.
- Tesla and performance EVs: Michelin Pilot Sport EV, the common factory fit on Model 3 and Model Y. Grippy, but pricier and some tests show weaker wet grip.
- Budget: Continental EcoContact 6 Q is a well-known name at a budget price (about $199 fitted in 215/55 R18). Avoid unknown brands that finished last in testing: wet braking matters.
Check prices online: Hankook iON evo, Michelin Primacy 5, Goodyear EfficientGrip 2, Michelin Pilot Sport EV on Amazon.
We may earn a commission if you buy or enquire through some links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change our figures or which cars we show. How we make money.
What to check before you buy
- Size, speed and load rating from your tyre placard (door jamb). EVs are heavy, so many need an XL or "HL" (higher load) rating. Don't go lower.
- EV markings such as EV, Elect, e. or a sound-absorbing foam (Hankook "Sound Absorber", Pirelli "Elect", Continental "ContiSilent") mean the tyre is built for EV weight, torque and quiet running. Nice to have, not required.
- Rolling resistance affects range: the gap between the best and worst tyre in testing was about 60 km on one charge.
- Replace at about 3 mm of tread rather than the 1.5 mm legal limit: wet braking gets much worse below that.
- Rotate every 8,000–10,000 km and check pressures monthly. See EV tyre life and cost for more.
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More: questions and more guides
Common questions
Are Michelin Primacy 5 tyres good for an EV?
Yes. In a 2025 test the Primacy 5 braked about 6 metres shorter in the wet than Michelin's EV-focused e.Primacy, lasted about as long and was just as quiet. The e.Primacy rolls slightly easier, so it gives a little more range.
What are the best tyres for an electric car in Australia?
The Hankook iON evo won Auto Bild's 2025 EV tyre test. The Continental PremiumContact 7 braked best in the wet, the Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 lasted longest, and the Falken e.Ziex gave the most range.
Do I have to buy EV-specific tyres?
No. Any tyre that matches the size, speed and load rating on your placard is legal. EV tyres are designed for extra weight and quiet running, and usually roll more easily, which helps range.
How much do EV tyres cost?
Roughly $135–$250 per tyre fitted for budget brands on small EVs, $230–$500 for mid-range, and $400–$600 for premium EV tyres on 19–20 inch wheels like the Tesla Model Y's.
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How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at November 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.