The Auto Bild 2024 summer tyre test for electric vehicles (EVs) in the 235/55 R19 size aimed to compare the performance of standard and specialized EV tyres to determine if EV-specific tyres offer significant advantages over their conventional counterparts. The test included eight tyre models: the Continental PremiumContact 7, Falken e.Ziex [ev specific], Hankook iON evo SUV [ev specific], Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, GT Radial SportActive 2 EV [ev specific], Bridgestone Potenza Sport, and Goodride ZuperEco Z-107.

Interestingly, Michelin decided not to officially enter their EV-specific tyre, the Pilot Sport EV, or their e-Primacy model in the test, opting instead for the Pilot Sport 4 SUV from their sports tyre segment. Despite this, the discontinued Pilot Sport EV was still tested alongside the other contenders, providing an opportunity to compare its performance against both standard and EV-specific tyres.

The tyres were evaluated on a Kia EV6 electric vehicle across three main categories: Wet Performance (40% weightage), Dry Performance (40% weightage), and Cost (20% weightage). Wet Performance tests included aquaplaning, curved aquaplaning, handling, steering response, and braking. Dry Performance assessed handling, braking, rolling comfort, and pass-by noise. The Cost category considered mileage, price per mileage, rolling resistance, and electricity consumption.

In the final results, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV emerged as the overall winner, receiving an "Exemplary" rating. The Continental PremiumContact 7 and Hankook iON evo SUV tied for second place, also with "Exemplary" ratings. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 followed closely in fourth place. The test demonstrated that while specialized EV tyres like the Hankook iON evo SUV can offer benefits, high-quality standard tyres such as those from Continental and Michelin can also provide excellent performance on electric vehicles.

As for the Michelin Pilot Sport EV, although it wasn't officially part of the test, its performance in the measured categories suggests it would have likely placed in the lower half of the rankings. The tyre struggled in wet conditions, placing 7th in braking and 8th in both aquaplaning tests. It fared slightly better in dry handling, securing 6th place. However, without complete data across all test criteria, it's difficult to determine its exact position in the final order.

The Auto Bild 2024 summer tyre test for EVs showcases the importance of considering a balance of safety, performance, and efficiency when selecting tyres for electric vehicles. While EV-specific tyres can offer some advantages, the test proves that high-quality standard tyres can also rise to the challenge of providing excellent performance on these technologically advanced vehicles.

Dry

The Hankook iON evo SUV showcased the best dry braking performance, stopping just short of the Continental PremiumContact 7. The GT Radial SportActive 2 EV and Goodride ZuperEco Z-107 required the longest distances to come to a halt.

Continental PremiumContact 7 demonstrated the most agile and precise handling on dry roads, closely followed by the Michelin's Pilot Sport 4 SUV and Bridgestone Potenza Sport. The Goodride ZuperEco Z-107 and GT Radial SportActive 2 EV struggled to keep up with the leaders in this discipline.

Wet

In wet braking tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 outperformed the competition, with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV not far behind. The Goodride ZuperEco Z-107 had the longest braking distance on wet surfaces.

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV displayed the best handling characteristics on wet roads, while the Goodride ZuperEco Z-107 was again last.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV had the highest resistance to aquaplaning in straight-line conditions, with most tires performing similarly well. The Falken e.Ziex was the first to lose grip on the water-covered surface.

Comfort

The Hankook iON evo SUV proved to be the quietest tire, whereas the Bridgestone Potenza Sport produced the most noise.

Value

The Continental PremiumContact 7 demonstrated the lowest wear rate, promising the highest mileage. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport had the highest wear, just half of the Continental.

The rolling resistance and energy consumption tests yielded intriguing results, particularly for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and GT Radial SportActive 2 EV tires. In the rolling resistance test, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport had the highest rolling resistance, while the GT Radial SportActive 2 EV performed well, ranking second only to the Falken e.Ziex.

However, the real-world efficiency test revealed a different picture. The GT Radial SportActive 2 EV, despite its low rolling resistance in the lab test, consumed the most energy during real-world testing. This discrepancy highlights the importance of conducting both laboratory and real-world assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of a tire's performance.

The article does not provide specific theories to explain this discrepancy, but it is possible that other factors, such as the tire's construction, compound, or interaction with the road surface, may have contributed to the GT Radial SportActive 2 EV's higher energy consumption in real-world conditions.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 produced the least amount of tire abrasion, suggesting a more environmentally friendly performance. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport had the highest abrasion rate, which may lead to increased tire particulate emissions.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
235/55 R19 105Y EU Label: C/A/72 Weight: 12.95kgs 3PMSF: no Price: 840.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 34.1 M 33 M +1.1 M 96.77% Dry Handling 2nd 70.9 Km/H 71.3 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.44% Wet Braking 3rd 39.2 M 37.7 M +1.5 M 96.17% Wet Handling 2nd 58.5 Km/H 59.2 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.82% Wet Circle 3rd 12.93 s 12.88 s +0.05 s 99.61% Straight Aqua 1st 95.5 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.25 m/sec2 3.28 m/sec2 -0.03 m/sec2 99.09% Noise 2nd 70 dB 68.6 dB +1.4 dB 98% Wear 2nd 35865 KM 36885 KM -1020 KM 97.23% Value 7th 23.42 Price/1000 14.55 Price/1000 +8.87 Price/1000 62.13% Rolling Resistance 8th 7.99 kg / t 5.55 kg / t +2.44 kg / t 69.46% Energy Consumption 4th 19.17 kWh/100km 18.28 kWh/100km +0.89 kWh/100km 95.36% 3rd 1211 g 1069 g +142 g 88.27% The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV is a sports tyre that delivers impressive performance on both wet and dry surfaces. It exhibits dynamic handling qualities, precise steering response, short braking distances, and high mileage. The tyre has slightly increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £172.28
2nd: Continental PremiumContact 7
235/55 R19 105Y EU Label: C/A/72 Weight: 11.95kgs 3PMSF: no Price: 745.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 33.2 M 33 M +0.2 M 99.4% Dry Handling 1st 71.3 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 1st 37.7 M 100% Wet Handling 4th 57.6 Km/H 59.2 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 97.3% Wet Circle 1st 12.88 s 100% Straight Aqua 7th 93.4 Km/H 95.5 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.8% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.96 m/sec2 3.28 m/sec2 -0.32 m/sec2 90.24% Noise 5th 70.3 dB 68.6 dB +1.7 dB 97.58% Wear 1st 36885 KM 100% Value 4th 20.2 Price/1000 14.55 Price/1000 +5.65 Price/1000 72.03% Rolling Resistance 4th 6.64 kg / t 5.55 kg / t +1.09 kg / t 83.58% Energy Consumption 2nd 18.46 kWh/100km 18.28 kWh/100km +0.18 kWh/100km 99.02% 1st 1069 g 100% The Continental PremiumContact 7 is a standard tyre that offers outstanding mileage and exemplary sustainability. It delivers the shortest wet and dry braking distances, precise dry handling, and a pleasantly quiet ride. The tyre also showcases low rolling resistance, reduced tyre abrasion, and minimal electricity consumption. None mentioned. Read Reviews    Buy from £169.97
2nd: Hankook iON evo SUV
235/55 R19 105Y EU Label: A/A/69 Weight: 13.35kgs 3PMSF: no Price: 690.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 33 M 100% Dry Handling 5th 70.2 Km/H 71.3 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.46% Wet Braking 4th 39.4 M 37.7 M +1.7 M 95.69% Wet Handling 5th 57.1 Km/H 59.2 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 96.45% Wet Circle 6th 13.11 s 12.88 s +0.23 s 98.25% Straight Aqua 4th 94.4 Km/H 95.5 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.85% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 2.99 m/sec2 3.28 m/sec2 -0.29 m/sec2 91.16% Noise 1st 68.6 dB 100% Wear 3rd 35695 KM 36885 KM -1190 KM 96.77% Value 2nd 19.33 Price/1000 14.55 Price/1000 +4.78 Price/1000 75.27% Rolling Resistance 5th 6.88 kg / t 5.55 kg / t +1.33 kg / t 80.67% Energy Consumption 3rd 18.83 kWh/100km 18.28 kWh/100km +0.55 kWh/100km 97.08% 2nd 1141 g 1069 g +72 g 93.69% The Hankook iON evo SUV is a new EV summer tyre that provides a well-balanced, high-performance package. It offers stable and secure handling, short wet and dry braking distances, low noise emissions, excellent mileage, and good overall value. None mentioned. Read Reviews
4th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
235/55 R19 105Y EU Label: B/A/69 Weight: 13.08kgs 3PMSF: no Price: 695.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 33.9 M 33 M +0.9 M 97.35% Dry Handling 4th 70.4 Km/H 71.3 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.74% Wet Braking 2nd 39.1 M 37.7 M +1.4 M 96.42% Wet Handling 3rd 58.3 Km/H 59.2 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.48% Wet Circle 5th 13.01 s 12.88 s +0.13 s 99% Straight Aqua 3rd 94.6 Km/H 95.5 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.06% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.27 m/sec2 3.28 m/sec2 -0.01 m/sec2 99.7% Noise 2nd 70 dB 68.6 dB +1.4 dB 98% Wear 5th 33015 KM 36885 KM -3870 KM 89.51% Value 5th 21.05 Price/1000 14.55 Price/1000 +6.5 Price/1000 69.12% Rolling Resistance 6th 7.51 kg / t 5.55 kg / t +1.96 kg / t 73.9% Energy Consumption 6th 20.02 kWh/100km 18.28 kWh/100km +1.74 kWh/100km 91.31% 6th 1234 g 1069 g +165 g 86.63% The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is a sports tyre that offers convincing performance on dry and wet roads. It provides good aquaplaning resistance, short braking distances, and good overall value. The tyre has a slightly elevated rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £150.26
5th: Falken e.Ziex
235/55 R19 105V EU Label: A/A/69 Weight: 11.79kgs 3PMSF: no Price: 630.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 34.7 M 33 M +1.7 M 95.1% Dry Handling 7th 69.6 Km/H 71.3 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 97.62% Wet Braking 6th 42.4 M 37.7 M +4.7 M 88.92% Wet Handling 6th 56.3 Km/H 59.2 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 95.1% Wet Circle 7th 13.39 s 12.88 s +0.51 s 96.19% Straight Aqua 9th 92.1 Km/H 95.5 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 96.44% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.94 m/sec2 3.28 m/sec2 -0.34 m/sec2 89.63% Noise 4th 70.2 dB 68.6 dB +1.6 dB 97.72% Wear 6th 27375 KM 36885 KM -9510 KM 74.22% Value 6th 23.01 Price/1000 14.55 Price/1000 +8.46 Price/1000 63.23% Rolling Resistance 1st 5.55 kg / t 100% Energy Consumption 1st 18.28 kWh/100km 100% 7th 1244 g 1069 g +175 g 85.93% The Falken e.Ziex is an EV tyre that delivers short dry braking distances, extended range, low rolling resistance, and a very attractive price point. The tyre has a satisfactory mileage and a tendency to understeer. Read Reviews    Buy from £173.46
6th: GT Radial Sport Active 2 EV
235/55 R19 105V EU Label: A/A/69 Weight: 12.89kgs 3PMSF: no Price: 680.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 37.9 M 33 M +4.9 M 87.07% Dry Handling 8th 67.6 Km/H 71.3 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 94.81% Wet Braking 8th 46 M 37.7 M +8.3 M 81.96% Wet Handling 8th 55.2 Km/H 59.2 Km/H -4 Km/H 93.24% Wet Circle 8th 13.45 s 12.88 s +0.57 s 95.76% Straight Aqua 6th 94.1 Km/H 95.5 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.53% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.64 m/sec2 3.28 m/sec2 -0.64 m/sec2 80.49% Noise 6th 70.5 dB 68.6 dB +1.9 dB 97.3% Wear 4th 34905 KM 36885 KM -1980 KM 94.63% Value 3rd 19.48 Price/1000 14.55 Price/1000 +4.93 Price/1000 74.69% Rolling Resistance 2nd 6.17 kg / t 5.55 kg / t +0.62 kg / t 89.95% Energy Consumption 8th 20.82 kWh/100km 18.28 kWh/100km +2.54 kWh/100km 87.8% 5th 1222 g 1069 g +153 g 87.48% The GT Radial SportActive 2 EV is an EV tyre that offers high mileage, quiet rolling comfort, low rolling resistance, and an affordable price. The tyre exhibits understeering in both wet and dry handling and has extended wet braking distances. Read Reviews
7th: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
235/55 R19 105Y EU Label: C/A/72 Weight: 13.48kgs 3PMSF: no Price: 710.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 34 M 33 M +1 M 97.06% Dry Handling 3rd 70.7 Km/H 71.3 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.16% Wet Braking 4th 39.4 M 37.7 M +1.7 M 95.69% Wet Handling 1st 59.2 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 1st 12.88 s 100% Straight Aqua 4th 94.4 Km/H 95.5 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.85% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.24 m/sec2 3.28 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.78% Noise 8th 71.2 dB 68.6 dB +2.6 dB 96.35% Wear 8th 18530 KM 36885 KM -18355 KM 50.24% Value 8th 38.32 Price/1000 14.55 Price/1000 +23.77 Price/1000 37.97% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.1 kg / t 5.55 kg / t +3.55 kg / t 60.99% Energy Consumption 7th 20.66 kWh/100km 18.28 kWh/100km +2.38 kWh/100km 88.48% 8th 2093 g 1069 g +1024 g 51.08% The Bridgestone Potenza Sport is a sports tyre that provides dynamic driving behavior on wet and dry surfaces, short braking distances, and good aquaplaning resistance. The tyre has limited mileage, very high rolling resistance, increased fuel consumption, and a less comfortable ride. Read Reviews    Buy from £137.48
8th: Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco
235/55 R19 105V EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 13.10kgs 3PMSF: no Price: 395.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 37.2 M 33 M +4.2 M 88.71% Dry Handling 9th 67.1 Km/H 71.3 Km/H -4.2 Km/H 94.11% Wet Braking 9th 48.1 M 37.7 M +10.4 M 78.38% Wet Handling 9th 54.3 Km/H 59.2 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 91.72% Wet Circle 9th 13.95 s 12.88 s +1.07 s 92.33% Straight Aqua 2nd 94.7 Km/H 95.5 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.16% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.28 m/sec2 100% Noise 6th 70.5 dB 68.6 dB +1.9 dB 97.3% Wear 7th 27155 KM 36885 KM -9730 KM 73.62% Value 1st 14.55 Price/1000 100% Rolling Resistance 7th 7.71 kg / t 5.55 kg / t +2.16 kg / t 71.98% Energy Consumption 5th 19.88 kWh/100km 18.28 kWh/100km +1.6 kWh/100km 91.95% 3rd 1211 g 1069 g +142 g 88.27% The Goodride ZuperEco Z-107 is an eco-friendly tyre available at a budget-friendly price, offering good aquaplaning resistance. The tyre has limited lateral grip and extended braking distances on wet surfaces, understeering handling, and moderate mileage. Read Reviews
9th: Michelin Pilot Sport EV
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 35 M 33 M +2 M 94.29% Dry Handling 6th 70.1 Km/H 71.3 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.32% Wet Braking 7th 43.3 M 37.7 M +5.6 M 87.07% Wet Handling 7th 56.2 Km/H 59.2 Km/H -3 Km/H 94.93% Wet Circle 4th 12.95 s 12.88 s +0.07 s 99.46% Straight Aqua 8th 93.2 Km/H 95.5 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.59% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.7 m/sec2 3.28 m/sec2 -0.58 m/sec2 82.32% Noise 9th 71.3 dB 68.6 dB +2.7 dB 96.21% Rolling Resistance 3rd 6.55 kg / t 5.55 kg / t +1 kg / t 84.73% As a tyre specifically designed for electric vehicles, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV likely offers some performance benefits tailored to the unique demands of EVs. Although not officially part of the test, the Pilot Sport EV was included in some of the assessments, allowing for a partial comparison with the other contenders. Based on the available results, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV struggled in wet conditions, with relatively poor performances in wet braking, aquaplaning, and curved aquaplaning tests. The tyre's dry handling performance was moderate, placing 6th among the tested tyres. Read Reviews