Michelin e.Primacy vs Falken e.Ziex: With the current shift towards electric vehicles replacing traditional hydrocarbon-powered ones, the tire market’s main requirements are also changing. Previously, we have discussed Michelin’s e.Primacy, specifically designed for the electric vehicle market, boasting the title of the first carbon-neutral tire available. We have also witnessed how the e.Primacy performed against the Primacy 4 and showcased the drawbacks required to achieve remarkably low rolling resistance values.
In this article, we will present Falken’s most recent electric vehicle tire, the “e.Ziex,” which was released in 2023. Although this is the e.Ziex’s debut press test, we do not anticipate Falken being able to rival the e.Primacy as the preeminent electric vehicle tire. Both tires were developed with the objective of minimizing rolling resistance while simultaneously maximizing other vital aspects of tire performance. As a result, let us conduct a brief comparison of Falken’s e.Ziex and Michelin’s e.Primacy to assess their relative performances.
Table of Contents
Results
The following results were obtained from the 2023 Best Electric Vehicle Tires versus UHP Tires test, where ten tires were evaluated. The graph below depicts the comparison between Michelin e.Primacy vs Falken e.Ziex based on relevant performance categories, with the Michelin e.Primacy serving as the reference point, indicated by the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is 255/45 R20 which is a common tire size for Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz Glc 300. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Kia EV6 which the first dedicated electric vehicle by Kia.
Rolling Resistance
Let us begin by emphasizing that the foremost requirement for electric vehicles is to have tires that possess low rolling resistance characteristics, which permit greater driving ranges. Both tires have earned an EU A label rating, indicating that the competition is very close. Nonetheless, the e.Ziex has surprised us by not only staying below the label’s limits (<=6.5 N/kN), but it has also exceeded them remarkably by achieving a rolling resistance coefficient of 5.7 N/kN, which is 12% less than the requirement for an A label. The e.Ziex has secured the top spot and is the best in its class in terms of rolling resistance performance. In contrast, the e.Primacy has also earned an A label, but it has only managed a rolling resistance coefficient of 5.9 N/kN, which is 8.5% higher than the e.Ziex’s.
Although the e.Ziex only has a slight edge in rolling resistance performance, this translates to slightly greater fuel savings, with the e.Ziex’s energy consumption being 13.2 KW/100 km in comparison to the e.Primacy’s 13.4 KW/100 km. In conclusion, with respect to electric vehicle considerations, the e.Ziex stands out with its superior rolling resistance values and better energy consumption ratings.
e.Ziex :
- +3.5% in rolling resistance
- +1.5% in energy consumption
Wet
The need for superior wet performance has always been of paramount importance when it comes to safety. In objective wet braking tests, both tires demonstrated impressive performance, with only a 0.1 meter difference in braking distance, with the e.Primacy taking the lead. Surprisingly, both tires claimed the top two spots in the tire test, even though the field includes well-established wet performers like the Continental SportContact 7. This trend persisted in the wet handling category, with the e.Primacy achieving a higher average lap speed, albeit with only a slight advantage of 0.4 km/h.
The results were also extremely close in aquaplaning tests, with the e.Primacy exhibiting a slip speed deficit of 0.5 km/h in straight aquaplaning and a deficit of -0.48 m/sec2 in lateral aquaplaning. Based on tread depth measurements, the e.Primacy has a tread depth of 6.3mm compared to the e.Ziex’s 6.12mm, with only a small difference of 0.18mm. Overall, it is evident that the wet performances of both tires were extremely close, with the e.Primacy only slightly managing to outperform the e.Ziex by a razor-thin margin.
e.Ziex :
- -0.4% in wet braking
- -0.8% in wet handling (lap speed)
- -0.6% in wet circle
- -0.6% in straight aquaplaning
- -6.3% in curve aquaplaning
Dry
While shorter braking distances are typically achieved in dry conditions, it is still critical for tires to perform well in dry conditions, as this represents daily default usage. In this regard, the e.Ziex took the lead in dry braking by stopping 0.6 meters earlier than the e.Primacy from a speed of 100 km/h down to 0 km/h. Similarly, both tires performed exceptionally well in dry handling, with the e.Primacy only edging out a 0.4 km/h lead. Overall, the e.Ziex’s lower tread depth, which provides a stiffer crown, resulted in better performance in dry conditions.
e.Ziex :
- +1.8% in dry braking
- +0.9% in dry handling (lap speed)
Noise & Comfort
Both tires achieved the same pass-by noise rating of 71.9 dB, placing them jointly in the first position among their competitors in terms of noise level.
e.Ziex :
- 0% in objective noise
Price
As the trailblazer in tire technology, Michelin rightfully commands one of the highest prices in the market. However, as the prices for the e.Ziex will only be released in the summer of 2023, we won’t be able to make a direct price comparison at this time. Stay tuned for price updates this summer.
Tire size: 255/45 R20
e.Ziex : Out this Summer 2023 !
e.Primacy : €322
Summary
Based on the test results, both tires have clearly demonstrated their own strengths. The e.Ziex has excellent EV characteristics with the lowest rolling resistance among its competitors, and it also performed well in dry conditions. Meanwhile, the e.Primacy excelled slightly better in wet conditions. In our opinion, this duel was too close to call, and there is no clear winner at this time.