The advent of electric-powered commercial trucks has raised new design considerations for vehicle components beyond the propulsion system — including tires.

Tire makers are examining potential reconfigurations for tires used on electric trucks to optimize performance, minimize wear and reduce the amount of time fleets spend reworking tried-and-true wear cycle metrics and replacement practices.

Weight and torque are the two main factors that affect electric trucks’ tire performance and wear. Electric motors provide greater, instantaneous torque, which affects rolling resistance. The torque is also different with EVs’ regenerative braking compared with hydraulic braking.

EV batteries add a significant amount of weight to the vehicle — up to 5,000 pounds, depending on battery type and range. Newer electric models are lighter than earlier ones, though.