Aaron Brzozowski 
Goodyear tires are universally recognized as among the best on the market, thanks in large part to offerings like the Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain – the factory tire of choice on many Jeep Wrangler models (and the Ford Bronco) – and the Eagle F1 Supercar 3, which was originally developed for the likes of the Chevy Camaro ZL1 and SS 1LE. Now, something decidedly different is joining the fray: the Goodyear ElectricDrive GT.
As you might have guessed, sometime between finishing the last sentence and shifting your gaze down to the start of this one, the Goodyear ElectricDrive GT has been developed specifically for electric vehicles. EVs have a particular set of quirks – things like exceptionally high torque at take-off, minimal powertrain noise, and a whole lot of battery mass located down low in the chassis – that a set of EV-specific Goodyear tires could better compliment.
In fact, to that end, the new Goodyear ElectricDrive GT features the brand’s SoundComfort Technology, which introduces an acoustic barrier layer to the inside of the tire carcass to cut road noise by as much as 4.0 dBa – roughly 50 percent, in some cases. In most modern internal combustion passenger cars, with their super quiet exhausts, it’s a very noticeable difference. In electric vehicles, it’s a virtual necessity.
These new EV-focused Goodyear tires also boast a specialized tread compound designed to wear slowly, even on high-performance EVs with their heavy battery packs and monumental levels of near-instant torque output, while delivering outstanding all-season traction thanks to an effective asymmetric tread pattern. Branded as an “ultra-high performance” all-season tire, the ElectricDrive GT promises properly good handling in all four seasons.
Are EV-Focused Tires The New Normal?
As more and more drivers ditch internal combustion and embrace electric vehicles, it seems likely that we’ll see a growing number of EV-specific replacement tires hit the market in the coming years. Goodyear certainly seems to think there’s a niche for it; the company plans to spend the rest of 2022 expanding the ElectricDrive GT lineup beyond the sole initial size offering of 255/45R19 104W XL. That size was chosen to launch the ElectricDrive GT because it’s “an ideal fit for some of the most popular EV high-performance models,” the company said in a release. Translation: it will fit certain versions of the Tesla Model S.
But just think about all the other EVs that are launching now or in the not-too-distant future. Ford just released its new Mustang Mach-E crossover, hot on the heels of the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and Rivian has finally kicked off deliveries of the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. GMC Hummer EV deliveries are also underway, and the reveal of the new Chevrolet Silverado EV is just around the corner, as Ford prepares to begin producing its pure-electric F-150 Lightning this spring. We imagine there will be a lot of takers for these new EV-focused Goodyear tires in the years to come.
“With the continued growth in the EV segment, Goodyear recognized an opportunity to provide consumers with a tire designed for the unique needs of these vehicles,” says Goodyear Product Marketing Manager Andrew Lau. “We know drivers are looking for a replacement tire that delivers enhanced tread wear without sacrificing performance. The ElectricDrive GT was designed with that in mind, and we’re thrilled to bring this option to market for EV drivers in the US.”
