Feb. 7, 2019—Autonomous vehicles could increase business demand for tire brands, according to a report by Business Insider. The vehicles are hard on tires, the publication reports.
"There aren't going to be quantum changes overnight," Matt Edmonds, executive vice-president of Tire Rack, an Indiana-based, direct-to-the-consumer tire seller that's been around since 1979, said to Business Insider.
According to the Business Insider, the immediate torque that occurs within electric vehicles can chew up the rubber. In addition, it's estimated that fleet operations with EV's will increase usage, putting upwards to five times the amount of miles on the road, Business Insider reports.
Edmonds estimates that technology catered to tire care will be created for EV's.
"Manufacturers are working to embed tech," Edmonds said. "It could tell owners when the tire is wearing out."
To stay ahead of the curve, Tire Rack plans to focus on catering to the new face of customers: riders, not drivers, Edmond told Business Insider.
"When we get to that point, what will be important for tires is that they're designed to optimize that experience," Edmonds said to Business Insider.
