Pirelli Scorpion Elect vs Michelin e.Primacy: 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 shall introduce Pirelli’s latest EV tire, the “Scorpion Elect,” launched in 2022. This is the Scorpion Elect’s inaugural press test, and it’s highly anticipated that Pirelli can give the e.Primacy a run for its money as the top-performing EV tire. Both tires were designed with low rolling resistance in mind, while simultaneously optimizing other essential aspects of tire performance. So, let us make a quick comparison of Pirelli’s Scorpion Elect and Michelin’s e.Primacy to see how well they fare against one another.
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 Pirelli’s Scorpion Elect and Michelin’s e.Primacy 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
We shall commence by focusing on the primary requirement for electric vehicles, which is to have tires with low rolling resistance that enable longer ranges. Both tires hold an EU A label rating, suggesting a closely contested battle. However, the e.Primacy not only finished beneath the label’s limits (<=6.5 N/kN), but it surpassed them remarkably by achieving a rolling resistance coefficient of 5.9 N/kN, which is 10% less than the requirement for an A label. In contrast, the Scorpion Elect also carries an A label but only managed a rolling resistance coefficient of 6.4 N/kN, which is just at the cusp of the A label’s limits.
Despite the e.Primacy’s exceptional rolling resistance performance, this did not directly translate to fuel savings since tire rolling resistance only accounts for 20% of a vehicle’s total resistance. Consequently, the e.Primacy ended up with higher energy consumption of 13.4 KW/100 km compared to the Scorpion Elect’s 13.2 KW/100 km.
e.Primacy :
- +8.5% in rolling resistance
- -1.5% in energy consumption
Wet
Safety has always been a paramount concern regarding the need for superior wet performance. In objective wet braking tests, the e.Primacy outperformed the Scorpion Elect by 0.7 meters when braking from 80 km/h to a complete stop. The same trend continued in the wet handling category, with the e.Primacy achieving a higher average lap speed, albeit with a slight advantage of only 0.8 km/h.
However, the narrative took a different turn when it came to aquaplaning, as the e.Primacy exhibited a slip speed deficit of 1.4 km/h in straight aquaplaning and a deficit of -0.41 m/sec2 in lateral aquaplaning. This is unsurprising given that the e.Primacy has a tread depth of 6.3mm compared to Scorpion Elect’s 7.2mm. Due to its lower void volume, the e.Primacy was unable to dissipate water as efficiently as tires with higher tread depths. In summary, the e.Primacy demonstrated superiority in wet braking and handling, while the Scorpion Elect, with its deeper tread depth, excelled in aquaplaning.
e.Primacy :
- +2.9% in wet braking
- +1.4% in wet handling (lap speed)
- +1.0% in wet circle
- -1.7% in straight aquaplaning
- -5.1% in curve aquaplaning
Dry
Although shorter braking distances are achieved in dry conditions, performing well in dry conditions is critical as it represents daily, default usage. In this regard, e.Primacy took the lead in dry braking by stopping 1.7 meters earlier than the Scorpion Elect from a speed of 100 km/h down to 0 km/h. Similarly, in dry handling, both tires performed exceptionally well with e.Primacy only edging out a 0.7 km/h lead. Overall, the e.Primacy’s lower tread depth, which provides a stiffer crown, resulted in better performance in dry conditions.
e.Primacy :
- +4.9% in dry braking
- +0.8% in dry handling (lap time)
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.
e.Primacy :
- 0% in objective noise
Price
As the de facto trailblazer in technology, Michelin rightfully commands one of the highest-priced tires in the market. For instance, the e.Primacy model costs an additional €65 compared to the Scorpion Elect.
Tire size: 255/45 R20
Scorpion Elect : €257
e.Primacy : €322
Difference: +20% more expensive for e.Primacy.
Summary
Based on the test results, Michelin e.Primacy is the better choice between the two tires. It offers a lower rolling resistance coefficient, better wet and dry performances, and a superior balance of wet braking and rolling resistance performances compared to the Pirelli Scorpion Elect. However, the Scorpion Elect does excel in aquaplaning due to its higher tread depth. Ultimately, the choice between these two tires would depend on the driver’s specific needs and priorities.