Worn tires significantly reduce vehicle grip on wet roads, leading to longer braking distances and a higher risk of accidents during monsoon season [1, 2].
This safety warning is critical because tire degradation directly impacts a driver's ability to stop or steer during heavy rain. The risk is particularly acute for electric vehicles, which are generally heavier and possess higher power output than internal combustion cars [1, 2].
In a test conducted in South Korea, a vehicle traveling at 80 km/h [1] was subjected to emergency braking on a wet surface. A car equipped with normal tires stopped after 36 meters [1]. In contrast, a car with worn tires skidded for 58 meters [1] before coming to a complete halt.
Reporter Lee Sang-gon of YTN said the danger stems from the fact that tire tread depth becomes too shallow due to wear. This prevents the tires from effectively evacuating water, leading to hydroplaning, a phenomenon where the vehicle loses contact with the road surface [1, 2].
"Because the tire groove depth becomes shallow due to wear, 'hydroplaning' occurs, where the grip drops because water cannot be properly discharged," Lee said [1].
Experts said that the increased weight of electric vehicle batteries puts additional stress on tires, accelerating wear and making the consequences of shallow treads more severe. When tires cannot clear water, the resulting loss of traction can lead to total loss of vehicle control during critical maneuvers [1, 2].
“A car with worn tires skidded for 58 meters before coming to a complete halt.”
The disparity in braking distances, a difference of 22 meters at 80 km/h, illustrates how tire maintenance is not merely a matter of efficiency but a primary safety requirement. For electric vehicle owners, the intersection of high torque and increased curb weight exacerbates the effects of hydroplaning, meaning standard wear-and-tear schedules may be insufficient for maintaining safe stopping distances in wet climates.
