Tyre safety in the EV era - why October should be a wake-up call for drivers

As motorists prepare for colder, wetter weather and another busy period for MOT testing, October's Tyre Safety Month provides a timely reminder that the four relatively small contact patches connecting a vehicle to the road remain among its most important safety components.

That principle hasn't changed. What has changed is what we are asking tyres to do.

 Today's tyres must contend with increasingly powerful vehicles, changing weather conditions and, with the rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs), different patterns of weight and torque. 

For drivers, garages and tyre retailers, that makes regular tyre inspection increasingly important – and an annual MOT should never become the only time tyres receive attention.

MOT data tells its own story

Tyres remain a significant cause of MOT defects.

The latest Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures show that between April and June 2026, 6.55% of Class 3 and 4 MOT tests recorded a tyre defect. More concerningly, 4.64% recorded a dangerous tyre defect. 

That matters because many tyre problems are identifiable before a vehicle reaches the MOT bay. 

For most passenger cars, the legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire circumference. But legality should not be confused with good tyre management. 

Pressure, condition, tread wear, cuts, bulges and uneven wear should all form part of regular checks throughout the year.

TyreSafe's 2026 Tyre Safety Month campaign highlights the disconnect that can exist between driver confidence and vehicle preparedness. Its latest research found that 94% of motorists underestimate stopping-distance risk and just 6% correctly identify stopping distance in wet conditions at motorway speeds.

Perhaps even more tellingly, 38% said they had experienced a near miss during the previous 12 months, yet only 11% checked their tyres afterwards.

When the weather changes, tyres matter even more

Autumn brings another variable into the equation.

As temperatures fall and roads become increasingly wet, icy or covered in leaves and surface debris, drivers inevitably have less margin for error.

Tread isn't simply there to determine whether a tyre is legal. Its grooves perform the crucial task of displacing water from beneath the tyre so the rubber can maintain contact with the road.

As tread wears, the tyre's capacity to disperse water reduces. If water cannot be evacuated quickly enough, a layer can form between the tyre and road surface, potentially causing aquaplaning and a loss of steering, braking and acceleration control.

That makes checking tyres before the worst of the autumn and winter weather arrives particularly important. 

Tyre pressure also deserves attention. Pressures should be checked when tyres are cold and adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. Incorrect inflation can affect the tyre's contact with the road, handling, braking, wear and efficiency.

EVs change the tyre equation

These fundamentals apply to every vehicle, but EVs introduce additional considerations.

Electric vehicles can carry additional weight as a result of their battery packs, while electric motors are capable of delivering significant torque immediately. Both characteristics can place particular demands on tyres.

And this isn't exclusively an issue for large, high-performance electric cars.

A small EV may be used primarily for relatively short urban journeys, but its tyres are still dealing with the characteristics associated with an electric powertrain. Vehicle size alone should therefore never be used as a guide to how frequently tyres need checking.

Correct load rating, inflation pressure, alignment, tyre condition and tread depth all remain essential.

Tyre technology is evolving with the EV

The growth of EVs is also influencing tyre development.

For tyre manufacturers, the challenge is to balance a number of characteristics simultaneously. A tyre needs to manage vehicle load and torque while providing strong wet and dry performance, predictable handling, good wear characteristics and low rolling resistance. 

Noise can also become more noticeable in an electric vehicle because there is no conventional combustion engine masking road and tyre noise.

Kumho has been developing tyres with these requirements in mind and already has considerable experience in EV applications.

Don't wait for the MOT

Perhaps the biggest opportunity presented by Tyre Safety Month is to change the perception that tyre condition is something checked once a year.

An MOT certificate confirms that a vehicle met the required standard at the time it was tested. It does not guarantee that its tyres will remain safe for the following 12 months.

Tyres are continually wearing and can also be damaged between inspections.

A simple monthly routine covering air pressure, condition and tread can identify developing problems early. EV drivers should pay particular attention to unusual or uneven wear and ensure tyres are suitable for the vehicle's load and performance requirements.

Garages and tyre retailers can reinforce that message whenever a vehicle enters the workshop, irrespective of whether it has been booked in for tyre work.

October therefore provides an important opportunity not simply to sell replacement tyres, but to educate motorists about the role their tyres play in keeping them safe.

Safety starts with four contact patches

As vehicle technology evolves, the basic physics of keeping a car on the road does not.

Whether petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric, every acceleration, steering input and braking manoeuvre ultimately has to be transmitted through the tyres.

For EVs, vehicle weight, instant torque and the importance of efficiency make selecting, maintaining and monitoring the right tyres particularly important.