Tires for Electric Vehicles

Technically, any tire with the correct size and load rating will mount. But tires not designed for EV use are a compromise. They are not engineered for the higher curb weight of EVs, the instant torque delivery at launch, or the low-noise cabin environment. EV-rated tires address all three. For most EV drivers, the real-world differences in wear rate and range make EV-optimized tires a worthwhile investment over a standard replacement.

Yes. Winter tires are legally required in Ontario when the weather calls for them, and that applies equally to EVs. More practically, EVs rely entirely on tire grip because there is no engine braking to fall back on. An EV on all-season tires in January is a heavier, less safe vehicle than one on a proper set of winter tires. Winter tires for EVs also need to carry a higher load rating than their equivalent for a gas vehicle of the same size class.

Cold temperatures reduce EV range by 20 to 40 percent regardless of tire choice. Winter tires do add some rolling resistance compared to summer tires, but EV-optimized winter tires minimize that impact. The tradeoff is worth it. A small range penalty from appropriate tires is far better than the alternative. For maximum range in winter, focus on preconditioning your battery while still plugged in, reducing cabin heat usage, and keeping tires properly inflated. Tires are a small piece of the cold-weather range puzzle.

All-season tires are engineered for spring, summer, and fall driving. Their rubber compound hardens in temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius and they do not carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification required for genuine winter traction. All-weather tires do carry that certification and use a compound that remains pliable in cold temperatures. If you want one set of tires to handle Ontario winters without swapping, all-weather is the correct category. All-season is not a year-round tire in this climate.

Most EVs use either run-flat tires or a tire mobility kit in place of a spare. Run-flat tires can typically be driven for up to 80 km at low speed after losing pressure, giving you time to reach a shop. If you experience a flat on a non-run-flat tire, your roadside assistance plan should include towing. Ted's can repair eligible punctures using the TECH Uni-Seal plug-and-patch method, which is the only type of repair that restores a tire to its original structural integrity. Sidewall punctures and run-flat damage after being driven on are typically not repairable.

Yes. TPMS programming is included with every tire and wheel installation at Ted's. EVs in particular rely on accurate TPMS readings because under-inflation increases rolling resistance and accelerates range loss. If you are purchasing aftermarket wheels, Ted's will install and program new sensors to match your vehicle's system. If your existing sensors are functional, they will be transferred and reset. You will not leave the shop with a TPMS warning light.

Yes. Ted's Tire Locker program stores seasonal tires at $99 per set per season. All stored tires are housed at the Whitelaw Rd location in Guelph and can be transferred to Woodlawn Rd with 48 hours notice. When you purchase and install a new set of four tires at Ted's, the first season of storage is included at no charge. Same-day tire storage swaps are now available at Whitelaw Rd.

Vibration after a tire or wheel change is almost always a balance issue, but in some cases it is caused by force variation within the tire or wheel itself rather than simple weight imbalance. Standard wheel balancers cannot detect this. Ted's locations are equipped with Hunter Road Force Elite balancers, which apply a simulated load to each tire and identify force variation that standard balancing misses. This is the same root cause that leads EV drivers to report vibrations that return even after the wheels have been rebalanced multiple times. Road Force match balancing at Ted's is $55 per tire and resolves the majority of persistent vibration complaints.