We’re used to having range anxiety on electric cars, but running out of charge may not be your biggest cause of problems. Electric cars are far more likely to need roadside assistance due to problems with tyres or wheels than running out of range, according to new research. Breakdown company LV Britannia Rescue claims over a third of its callouts to electric cars (36%) were to do with wheels. That’s compared to 11% for cars that have run out of battery.

It seems that’s often down to the heavier weight of electric cars. Only 16% of callouts to petrol and diesel cars were for tyre and wheel issues in the same period of time. The problem is made worse by many cars not featuring a spare wheel.

Tyre makers are responding by creating new tyres that are more suited to the heavy weights. These new tyres are also being designed to be quieter, and to have less rolling resistance.

Continental’s new HL (heavy load) tyres are designed for electric cars. These and others should reduce the number of breakdowns for EV drivers, especially as this research shows that range anxiety may not be a thing to worry about. The load capacity of this HL tire stands at 825 kgs. (load index 101), which equates to a 10% increase over the familiar XL standard of 750 kgs.

Around a fifth of LV’s callouts were for drivers who couldn’t start their EV at home, known as ‘dead on key’. But petrol and diesel cars that are ‘dead on key’ account for just over 40% of calls.

LV Britannia Rescue’s managing director, Henry Topham, said: “Generally electric cars perform very well and aren’t susceptible to suffering nearly as many issues as petrol or diesel models, but if you do have a problem it’s more likely to be wheel or tyre related, or dead on key.”