Huge difference in consumption between tires

[l33cher]

Hello,

In May 2025, I bought a 2021 Taycan 4S with 21” wheels that came with winter tires. A few days later, I went to a tire shop and had them replaced with summer tires (Continental SportContact 6). Throughout the summer, I was getting poor range—probably around 300-something km. Since I was driving only in the city, it didn’t bother me too much. Interestingly, the consumption estimate was showing 400+ km, but it was never accurate.

Winter is coming now, and last week I switched back to the tires I received from the previous owner (Goodyear, although I’m not sure about the exact model). I immediately noticed a huge improvement in consumption—around 20–30%—even though the weather isn’t that cold yet. Current temperatures are between 1°C and 14°C.

My question is: Did I buy summer tires that aren’t suitable for the Taycan? If so, should I consider replacing them next summer? Or could the issue be caused by something else, and is there any risk that those tires could be damaging the car? Range is not a concern for me at the moment.

Thanks!

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[W1NGE]

Hello,

In May 2025, I bought a 2021 Taycan 4S with 21” wheels that came with winter tires. A few days later, I went to a tire shop and had them replaced with summer tires (Continental SportContact 6). Throughout the summer, I was getting poor range—probably around 300-something km. Since I was driving only in the city, it didn’t bother me too much. Interestingly, the consumption estimate was showing 400+ km, but it was never accurate.

Winter is coming now, and last week I switched back to the tires I received from the previous owner (Goodyear, although I’m not sure about the exact model). I immediately noticed a huge improvement in consumption—around 20–30%—even though the weather isn’t that cold yet. Current temperatures are between 1°C and 14°C.

My question is: Did I buy summer tires that aren’t suitable for the Taycan? If so, should I consider replacing them next summer? Or could the issue be caused by something else, and is there any risk that those tires could be damaging the car? Range is not a concern for me at the moment.

Thanks!

Need more information - tyre label for each set that you have to make any sense of your question and response.

What size of rim are your winters? If smaller then obviously you will get a range bounce of sorts. Winter tyres are typically narrower also which will also contribute to increased range.

Did you remember to change the wheel / tyre setting in the PCM each to ensure TPMS is monitoring the correct size and season?

Best for all season wear is Michelin Pilot Sport 4+.

Pirelli PZero's don't wear as well but can offer more grip.

Continental - I'm not sure.

 

[Zcd1]

Hello,

In May 2025, I bought a 2021 Taycan 4S with 21” wheels that came with winter tires. A few days later, I went to a tire shop and had them replaced with summer tires (Continental SportContact 6). Throughout the summer, I was getting poor range—probably around 300-something km. Since I was driving only in the city, it didn’t bother me too much. Interestingly, the consumption estimate was showing 400+ km, but it was never accurate.

Winter is coming now, and last week I switched back to the tires I received from the previous owner (Goodyear, although I’m not sure about the exact model). I immediately noticed a huge improvement in consumption—around 20–30%—even though the weather isn’t that cold yet. Current temperatures are between 1°C and 14°C.

My question is: Did I buy summer tires that aren’t suitable for the Taycan? If so, should I consider replacing them next summer? Or could the issue be caused by something else, and is there any risk that those tires could be damaging the car? Range is not a concern for me at the moment.

Thanks!

Read this:

https://info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/Files/Pub212813.pdf

It's likely that your summer tires aren't EV-optimized, which can make a significant difference in efficiency....

 

[mpd79]

Did you adjust your car settings? 20-30% seems kinda extreme even if they weren't EV optimized.

FWIW put on Hankook Ion Evo IK01 Summers on mine and love them vs the OEM Conti All Season.

 

[prj]

Read this:

https://info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/Files/Pub212813.pdf

It's likely that your summer tires aren't EV-optimized, which can make a significant difference in efficiency....

Absolutely not those numbers, that's some wild BS. Devil is in the details:

The results show that CRA varies from just over 1 N/kN up to nearly 3 N/kN. These values are
substantially lower than the CR results reported in tire friction studies discussed previously. This
discrepancy is likely caused by a combination of factors, of which the most likely is a difference in test
conditions between the vehicle coast-down test and the tire friction test. Tire friction is strongly
dependent on test conditions, and the two tests were not intended to generate tire friction values that are
comparable to one another. A second factor is that automotive manufacturers may use design strategies
that result in tire operation at a lower fraction of their rated maximum load. Doing so may enhance ride
quality, increase safety margin for underinflated tires, increase cargo carrying capacity, and so on. This
design direction would tend to reduce the magnitude of CRA compared to CR values measured using the
tire friction test. Finally, the assumption that all F0 losses are from tire friction likely causes CRA to tend
towards overstating the tire friction contribution to driving losses.

The reason they got those numbers is because they admit themselves that the base data they used is hogwash and because in their study "range" is stipulated as "freeroll deceleration" without other factors - complete BS. They should have never used the word "range".

The tyres will not account for more than a couple % of difference, especially when driving at speed over longer distances.
Over shorter distances warming up the battery and heating the car is what is going to take the majority of the energy, not tyres (this is completely overlooked in the test, they just assume that range = freeroll deceleration, of course you get ridiculous numbers).

The difference between EV and non-EV tyres is miniscule. The non-EV tyres just have more tread, so the rolling resistance is a tiny bit higher, and the handling is also better.
The only case of EV and non-EV tyres being substantially different is when the load index is very different. However, if the load index is the same (which is often the case), then the sidewall stiffness is as well. In the vast majority of cases all you get is maybe <1% more range at the expense of handling and the tyres wearing out quicker (because you start off with less tread). Some of the tyres are foam filled to be quieter, but on the Taycan that is irrelevant, because the sound deadening is good.

Long story short, the 20-30% range quoted here is most certainly not due to the tyres unless the previous ones were permanently rubbing against wheel wells, which I doubt was the case.

However what I can say happens is that when you change the Tyres the PCM knows about the tyre change (due to the TPMS), and it would not surprise me if it does some adjustment to the GoM based on that.

 

[M3Taycan]

Absolutely not those numbers, that's some wild BS. Devil is in the details:


The reason they got those numbers is because they admit themselves that the base data they used is hogwash and because in their study "range" is stipulated as "freeroll deceleration" without other factors - complete BS. They should have never used the word "range".

The tyres will not account for more than a couple % of difference, especially when driving at speed over longer distances.
Over shorter distances warming up the battery and heating the car is what is going to take the majority of the energy, not tyres (this is completely overlooked in the test, they just assume that range = freeroll deceleration, of course you get ridiculous numbers).

The difference between EV and non-EV tyres is miniscule. The non-EV tyres just have more tread, so the rolling resistance is a tiny bit higher, and the handling is also better.
The only case of EV and non-EV tyres being substantially different is when the load index is very different. However, if the load index is the same (which is often the case), then the sidewall stiffness is as well. In the vast majority of cases all you get is maybe <1% more range at the expense of handling and the tyres wearing out quicker (because you start off with less tread). Some of the tyres are foam filled to be quieter, but on the Taycan that is irrelevant, because the sound deadening is good.

Long story short, the 20-30% range quoted here is most certainly not due to the tyres unless the previous ones were permanently rubbing against wheel wells, which I doubt was the case.

However what I can say happens is that when you change the Tyres the PCM knows about the tyre change (due to the TPMS), and it would not surprise me if it does some adjustment to the GoM based on that.

Agree!

Both winter and summer impact battery performance—batteries provide better range in summer and reduced range in winter. The type of tire—winter or summer—is not the determining factor. Here is my data:

• 80% SOC: (230 - 220) miles of range in summer.
• 80% SOC: (200 - 190) miles of range in winter.
• 21-inch all-season tires - Goodyear Eagle Touring.
  • Front PSI 42
    • Load Index: 101: 1819 lbs (825 kg) per tire: Load Range XL
  • Rear PSI 45
    • Load Index: 104: 1984 lbs (900 kg) per tire. Load Range XL

If the temperature is below approximately 35°F (1.6°C), I charge to 85% state of charge (SOC) on cold winter days, resulting in a range of 200–220 miles.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Did you adjust your car settings? 20-30% seems kinda extreme even if they weren't EV optimized.

FWIW put on Hankook Ion Evo IK01 Summers on mine and love them vs the OEM Conti All Season.

Could you share where you got the Hankooks. I do not see to figure out how to get the right size. I am on 21 inch Mission-E rims.

 

[Zcd1]

Absolutely not those numbers, that's some wild BS. Devil is in the details:


The reason they got those numbers is because they admit themselves that the base data they used is hogwash and because in their study "range" is stipulated as "freeroll deceleration" without other factors - complete BS. They should have never used the word "range".

The tyres will not account for more than a couple % of difference, especially when driving at speed over longer distances.
Over shorter distances warming up the battery and heating the car is what is going to take the majority of the energy, not tyres (this is completely overlooked in the test, they just assume that range = freeroll deceleration, of course you get ridiculous numbers).

The difference between EV and non-EV tyres is miniscule. The non-EV tyres just have more tread, so the rolling resistance is a tiny bit higher, and the handling is also better.
The only case of EV and non-EV tyres being substantially different is when the load index is very different. However, if the load index is the same (which is often the case), then the sidewall stiffness is as well. In the vast majority of cases all you get is maybe <1% more range at the expense of handling and the tyres wearing out quicker (because you start off with less tread). Some of the tyres are foam filled to be quieter, but on the Taycan that is irrelevant, because the sound deadening is good.

Long story short, the 20-30% range quoted here is most certainly not due to the tyres unless the previous ones were permanently rubbing against wheel wells, which I doubt was the case.

However what I can say happens is that when you change the Tyres the PCM knows about the tyre change (due to the TPMS), and it would not surprise me if it does some adjustment to the GoM based on that.

I’ve personally seen nearly a 20% reduction in range going from an EV-specific tire to a non-EV tire, and anecdotal evidence on various EV forums I follow suggest that 10-20% reduction is common, so I wouldn’t dismiss that report quite so readily.

 

[Zcd1]

Did you adjust your car settings? 20-30% seems kinda extreme even if they weren't EV optimized.

FWIW put on Hankook Ion Evo IK01 Summers on mine and love them vs the OEM Conti All Season.

Are the Hankooks the same spec (section width and aspect ratio) as the OEMs?

I also ran Hankooks briefly but despite being the same spec, the Hankooks’ actual measured tread width was 0.75” less than the OEM tire.

 

[prj]

I’ve 🧍 seen nearly a 20% reduction in range going from an EV-specific tire to a non-EV tire, and anecdotal evidence on various EV forums I follow suggest that 10-20% reduction is common, so I wouldn’t dismiss that report quite so readily.

Just nope. Luckily physics is a thing still.
Can be instantly debunked by comparing the WLTP range between 19" and 21" on the Taycan, which is mostly done at lower speed and you're going with much wider tyres.

To have a 20% range difference on the same size the tyres have to be flat or actively chafing. No need to propagate lies.

 

[mpd79]

Are the Hankooks the same spec (section width and aspect ratio) as the OEMs?

I also ran Hankooks briefly but despite being the same spec, the Hankooks’ actual measured tread width was 0.75” less than the OEM tire.

Ya same specs but haven’t done a manual measurement.

I got them from America’s Tire

They’re OEM now FWIW https://www.hankooktire.com/us/en/company/media-center/media-detail.630161.html

 

[Zcd1]

Just nope. Luckily physics is a thing still.
Can be instantly debunked by comparing the WLTP range between 19" and 21" on the Taycan, which is mostly done at lower speed and you're going with much wider tyres.

To have a 20% range difference on the same size the tyres have to be flat or actively chafing. No need to propagate lies.

Right - so what I saw with my own eyes and experienced personally is a “lie”, eh??

SMH - WTF do you know about my actual experience?!? Nothing.

 

[prj]

Right - so what I saw with my own eyes and experienced personally is a “lie”, eh??

Without context, absolutely, since it is physically impossible.

I don't care about your anecdotal experience, I work using the scientific method.

You quoted a completely bogus "study" and are now quoting made up numbers.

The official controlled environment numbers for a taycan show a 3% difference between using the 19" aero optimized wheels and the most inefficient 21" with the dynamics package (so UHP tyres).

This is going up two wheel sizes with way wider tyres. Any good modern premium Tyre is not going to ever have more difference between an "EV" rated and non-EV rated model of the same size on the Taycan.

After over a decade in automotive your claims are just ridiculous. All the top tier tyre manufacturers are fighting for the last 0.1%. WLTP consumption drives taxation and CO2 quota payments. To even suggest that a premium Tyre manufacturer purposely makes a Tyre with ten times worse rolling resistance (as that would be roughly what is needed to cause a 20% discrepancy) is laughable.

What is possible however is user error by fitting the tyres with the completely wrong load index, and then underinflating them.

 

[f1eng]

The non-EV tyres just have more tread, so the rolling resistance is a tiny bit higher, and the handling is also better.

One would expect less tread gives better handling and response but less extreme wet weather grip. On Formula 1 cars the handling and response on the old treaded tyres got better as they wore.
The only reason for tread is draining water and it permits individual "styling", on dry roads zero tread gives the best grip and handling.

Having written that the big difference I notice between my winter and summer tyres is the winters are on narrower rims, which has a significant aero influence.

It is astute of Tesla to fit narrower tyres than the traditional sporty car makers to their cars.

 

[prj]

One would expect less tread gives better handling and response but less extreme wet weather grip. On Formula 1 cars the handling and response on the old treaded tyres got better as they wore.
The only reason for tread is draining water and it permits individual "styling", on dry roads zero tread gives the best grip and handling.

Having written that the big difference I notice between my winter and summer tyres is the winters are on narrower rims, which has a significant aero influence.

It is astute of Tesla to fit narrower tyres than the traditional sporty car makers to their cars.

I agree in case of a track surface, like a F1 circuit slicks have better grip, however on actual roads due to not only wet handling but also debris on the road tread is required.

I have compared a number of EV and non-EV winter tyres e.g. Nokian Hakkapeliita 5 in EV and non-EV variant, and a few others a while back.
When looking at the specifications, the EV variants always have smaller new tread depth in the specifications.

There was a really good article about this as well, which compared tread depths between various low rolling resistance tyres, and came to the same conclusion. The skidpad results were also always worse for the low rolling resistance tyres. All the "eco" tyres usually have a continuous narrow tread design, which is poor for handling. The Taycan's factory PZeros and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres are not what you can call an "EV tyre" - they are UHP's with stiff sidewalls. They are not marketed as such either.

An EV tyre is really just a low rolling resistance tyre with a SUV style load index and sometimes foam inserts. There's no black magic. So it comes with all the downsides of low rolling resistance tyres.

I guess the moral of the story is - you don't need EV tyres, but you need stiff sidewalls. So when shopping for tyres make sure that the load index is not lower than the Porsche OE NF0 tyres. Everything else is going to make very little difference as far as range is concerned.

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