A recent JD Power study has found that the satisfaction gap with original equipment tires between electric vehicles (EVs) and gas-powered vehicles is widening. As many EV owners has disappointed with tyres wearing faster, their satisfaction levels have dropped, according to the JD Power 2024 US Original Equipment Tyre Customer Satisfaction Study. The study points out that owners of battery-powered vehicles have similar expectations of tyre wear as owners of gas-powered vehicles. However, EV tyres naturally wear out faster due to greater vehicle weight and higher torque.
Ashley Edgar, senior director of benchmarking and alternative mobility at JD Power highlighted the need for tyre manufacturers and automakers to educate EV owners on the differences in tyre performance between EVs and combustion engine vehicles. “Additionally, because of the inherit conflict of maximizing vehicle range and optimizing tyre wear for EVs, tyre manufacturers and automakers need to work together to overcome the challenge without completely sacrificing tyre performance in other areas, especially as the EV market continues to increase.”
The study revealed the rankings of tyre manufacturers based on vehicle segments. While Michelin ranks highest in the luxury segment for a 21st consecutive year, with a score of 834, Goodyear ranks second and Continental ranks third with score of 812.and 811, respectively. In the passenger car segment, Michelin ranks highest with a score of 823 while Goodyear ranks second with a score of 811, followed by Kumho with a score of 799. In the truck/utility segment, Falken ranks highest with a score of 818, BFGoodrich with a score of 812 ranks second and Hankook with a score of 804 ranks third.
The US Original Equipment Tyre Customer Satisfaction Study measures tyre owner satisfaction in four areas – tyre ride, tyre wear, tyre traction/handling and tyre appearance. These parameters are looked at within four vehicle segments: luxury; passenger car; performance sport; and truck/utility. The rankings are based on responses from 31,414 owners of 2022 and 2023 model-year vehicles and was fielded from August through December 2023. Michelin ranks highest in three segments and Falken ranks highest in one segment.