Los Angeles (tca/dpa) - Ira Newlander of West Los Angeles has been thinking about replacing his 1997 Ford Explorer with a hybrid or all-electric car, but something is bothering him in the market these days.
Like many Californians who have had a flat tire far off the beaten path, Newlander wants his new car to have a spare. However, the vast majority of battery and hybrid cars do not have it.
Newlander expressed his frustration with Honda in a recent email, urging the company to put a full reserve in its electrified cars.
"I did an informal survey of family and friends," wrote Newlander, a former court reporter. “The consensus is that saving £40 or £50 on a full reserve on a 1.5 to 2 tonne vehicle is stupid. It's insignificant compared to the risk of being caught in the middle of nowhere with no real backup. It turns a discussion of reserve into a discussion of despair.”
In response, Honda customer service told Newlander that "the reason the spare tire is not included in our new electric vehicles is actually a safety issue".
"The problem is that if the vehicle is in an accident, the spare tire can cause damage to the electric battery, which could cause the battery to fail," the company's email explained.
Automotive design experts said the explanation was plausible but far-fetched. The move away from spare tires has a simpler explanation: they're too big and heavy, and people don't really need them anymore.
Here's an overview of the issues holding back parts for the new generation of battery-powered cars.
The disappearing replacement phenomenon
Car companies have been ridding their sedans and smaller SUVs of full-size spare parts for some time now. In 2018, Consumer Reports reported that 60% of the vehicles it tested over the previous five years were equipped with temporary small-size ("doughnut") tires, and only 10% came with full-size spares.
However, cars are increasingly ditching the donut in favor of run-flat tires (tires you can keep driving on after a puncture), puncture kits, roadside assistance or... nothing.
The best-selling electric sedans and SUVs — Tesla, Chevy Bolt, Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BMW i4 and Mercedes EQS — have no reserves. though they come with a premium price tag. Ditto for hybrids; The Toyota Prius, for example, has not included a spare since 2016.
It's not because people magically stopped having flat tires. According to LookupAPlate.com, a website that collects reports of bad drivers, US drivers suffer 94 million flat tires each year.
Competition for space
Although spare tires can still be found on some trucks and large "adventure" SUVs, one problem for automakers is the increasingly large wheel sizes on new cars, said Geoff Wardle,
That's why many manufacturers have switched to alternatives such as inflatable spares, which take up about a third of the volume of a full-size tire. Or they can fit their cars with self-sealing or run-flat tires, which Wardle said are "good when it's just a nail, but useless when you hit a pothole and split the rim and sidewall."
Finding room for a reserve is especially challenging for a car powered by something other than gasoline, designers say. "Moving the range of EVs requires batteries, electrical system controllers or hydrogen tanks to go into the traditional places where spare tires are located: under the trunk floor," Wardle said.
The space crunch is worse for hybrids, which require space for both a battery system and an internal combustion engine, said Scott Grasman, dean of the College of Engineering at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan.
The compulsion to lose weight
A full-size spare adds 30 to 50 pounds to the car, Wardle said; a typical donut adds about 25 pounds. As automakers struggle to meet increasingly stringent emissions and fuel efficiency requirements, Wardle said a 30- to 50-pound spare tire "is significant."
"You might think it's trivial" compared to the car's weight, Grasman said. But "if you're trying to use every bit of range you can, having a 25-pound tire in you is an extra weight that you're just carrying," he said.
Gil Tal, director of the Center for Electric Vehicle Research at UC Davis, said removing the reserve would likely increase an EV's range by "a few points." "If it's a 400-mile car, it's an [extra] mile or two," he said. But after the manufacturer takes all the easy steps to increase range, he said it remains to scrape off more mileage however it can.
Trying to cut costs
Equipping a car with a spare tire increases the cost of its construction. Grasman estimated that adding a full-size aftermarket replacement costs the manufacturer $100 to $300, depending on the vehicle.
And tires for an EV can be more expensive than tires for a gas-powered vehicle of the same size. That's because electric cars tend to be heavier than their gas-powered counterparts, so they require sturdier tires. And with relatively quiet engines, they need tires that don't make as much road noise.
Are aftermarket parts a safety threat in EVs?
Honda did not respond to an email request for clarification sent to Newlander, so it's hard to say what it thought the safety issue might be.
UC Davis' Tal was skeptical that manufacturers were omitting spare parts from their hybrids and EVs for this reason. "To the best of my knowledge," he said, "it has nothing to do with security."
Wardle said that with the heavy spare wheel located close to the complicated and heavy battery assembly on the bottom of the trunk, "there is a danger that in a severe frontal impact - a head-on collision - the spare wheel could come off its mount. screw and become a projectile that rips through the battery pack. So, in addition to the risk of injury to passengers and bystanders due to the actual forces of the crash, there is also the possibility of short-circuiting and explosive overheating of the high-voltage battery unit.”
Grasman acknowledged that, while unlikely, it is possible that a replacement battery could do something bad to the battery in an accident. But he added: "You could change the design of the vehicle to make sure that didn't happen."
He also wondered why Honda would want to imply that the replacement could damage the battery in a collision.
"What about the headrest, what about all the cargo I have in the trunk?" Grasman asked. “I think they're opening up a little bit.
Do you really need a replacement?
Tal said the tires are much better and more durable than they used to be. And because federal regulations require new cars to have tire pressure indicators, drivers are alerted when their tire
"Wondering that your new electric car is missing a spare tire? Explore the possibilities of eco-friendly design and advanced technology that make this omission a practical and efficient choice for modern electric vehicles."
In the era of sustainable transport, it is not unusual to find your brand new electric car without a spare tire. While you may be wondering why this essential component is missing, there is a way around this seemingly unconventional madness. Let's dive into the reasons for not having a spare tire in your electric vehicle and explore the innovative features that make this a logical and environmentally friendly choice.
1. Maximizing efficiency:
Electric cars are carefully designed to optimize energy consumption and extend range. Every kilo added to the vehicle's weight can significantly affect its efficiency. Due to their volume and weight, traditional spare tires can compromise the ability of an electric car to travel longer distances on a single charge. By omitting the spare tire, manufacturers help ensure that your electric car can go that extra mile without wasting energy.
2. Reclaiming storage space:
Electric cars often prioritize interior space and storage solutions. By eliminating the spare tire, automakers can free up valuable cargo space. This is especially advantageous for smaller electric cars, where the use of space is paramount. Manufacturers often provide tire repair kits or run-flat tires as alternatives to conventional spare parts, helping you maintain storage convenience without sacrificing safety.
3. Advanced tire technology:
Modern electric cars are equipped with advanced tire technology that reduces the risk of flat tires. For example, run-flat tires are designed to perform even after losing air pressure, allowing you to get to a service center safely. In addition, many EVs are equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) to alert you to any changes in tire pressure, preventing a possible flat.
4. Commitment to sustainability:
Electric cars are celebrated for their environmental friendliness, and manufacturers extend this ethos to various aspects of vehicle design. By giving up the spare tire, car manufacturers contribute to reducing the total weight of the vehicle and thus also the carbon footprint associated with production and operation. This is in line with the wider aim of promoting greener transport solutions.
5. Road assistance and technological solutions:
Many EV manufacturers offer comprehensive assistance programs that include tire repair services. Additionally, advances in tire repair kits and mobile service units make it easier to deal with minor tire problems without the need for a spare. These modern solutions ensure that you are not left stranded in the event of a flat tire.
Not having a spare tire in your new EV is a calculated decision based on a combination of factors, including energy efficiency, space utilization, technological advancements and commitment to sustainability. As the electric vehicle industry continues to evolve, so does its approach to vehicle design and safety. By adopting innovative tire technologies and efficient solutions, EV manufacturers are redefining the driving experience while focusing on environmental responsibility.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, electric cars are becoming a pioneer of innovation. While these eco-friendly vehicles offer numerous benefits, one particular change is becoming increasingly prevalent – the absence of a spare tire. In this article, we'll delve into the reasons behind the growing trend of spare tireless EVs and uncover the factors contributing to this design shift.
1. Weight optimization and efficiency:
Electric vehicles (EVs) are designed with energy efficiency in mind. One of the key factors affecting the efficiency of an electric car is its weight. By eliminating the spare tire, automakers reduce overall vehicle weight, increase battery performance, and extend range. This weight reduction contributes to better energy utilization and ultimately a greener driving experience.
2. Use of space:
Electric cars often feature a unique design due to their different powertrain components. The absence of a traditional internal combustion engine allows manufacturers to use space more efficiently. Spaces for spare tires in conventional cars can consume significant space, limiting the potential for additional storage or innovative features in EVs. By omitting the spare tire, EV designers can maximize interior space for passenger comfort and the integration of innovative technologies.
3. Run-Flat Tire Technology:
Advances in tire technology have given rise to run-flat tires. These specialized tires are designed to perform even after a puncture, allowing the driver to drive to a service center without the need for an immediate tire change. As run-flat tires become more reliable and affordable, the urgency of carrying a spare tire has lessened, making skipping the spare tire a practical option for EVs.
4. Road assistance and EV specifics:
Electric cars often come with specialized maintenance plans and assistance services tailored to their unique requirements. These services are equipped to handle the specific needs of electric vehicles, including tire-related issues. With the availability of dedicated EV support, the need for drivers to change a tire the selves is reduced, making not having a spare tire less of a concern.
5. Transition to autonomous driving:
The automotive industry is moving closer to widespread autonomous driving. With this transition, the role of the driver is expected to change. Many autonomous driving scenarios involve calling for help in an emergency, which may include tire-related issues. As self-driving capabilities become more advanced, the need for drivers to manually change tires is decreasing, making not having a spare tire a more viable option.
The absence of a spare tire in new electric cars is the result of a multifaceted approach to vehicle design. Weight optimization, space utilization, advances in tire technology, specialized EV maintenance services and the approaching era of autonomous driving all contribute to this evolving trend. As electric vehicles continue to shape the future of transportation, not having a spare tire is a thoughtful choice that aligns with the industry's drive for efficiency, innovation and sustainability.
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