Why do electric cars in Australia not come with a spare tire?
Blog post
Have you ever noticed that electric cars in Australia don't come with a spare tyre? If so, you're not alone. Many electric car owners have wondered why their vehicle doesn't come with a spare, especially since most gasoline-powered cars do. There are a few reasons why electric cars in Australia may not come with a spare tyre:
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Weight: One of the main reasons is to save weight and increase the range of the vehicle. A spare tyre can weigh as much as 20 kilograms, and every kilogram of weight that is added to an electric car reduces its range by about 1 kilometer. By not including a spare tyre, electric car manufacturers can increase the range of the vehicle and make it more appealing to consumers.
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Cost: Another reason is to reduce the cost of the vehicle. A spare tyre is an added cost, and by not including one, manufacturers can offer the car at a lower price point.
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Reliability: Electric cars are generally more reliable than gasoline-powered cars, as they have fewer moving parts and are less prone to breakdowns. This means that the need for a spare tyre may be less common.
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tyre repair kits: Some electric cars come with a tyre repair kit instead of a spare tyre. These kits include a sealant that can be used to fix a puncture and a compressor that can be used to inflate the tyre. While these kits may not be suitable for all types of tyre damage, they can be a useful alternative to a spare tyre in some cases.
It's worth noting that while electric cars in Australia may not come with a spare tyre, they do come with a roadside assistance package. This package includes tyre repair and replacement services, so if you do have a flat tyre, help is just a phone call away.
In Australia, if you experience a flat tyre with a Tesla vehicle, you can simply report it through the Tesla app and a service vehicle will be sent out to exchange your whole wheel with a temporary one. The original wheel will be returned to you at a later time, probably later that same day.
Overall, the lack of a spare tyre in electric cars is a trade-off that manufacturers make to save weight, reduce cost, and increase range. While it may be a surprise to some car buyers, the reliance on tyre repair kits and roadside assistance can provide a suitable alternative in many cases.