I’m considering trying thinner tires while keeping the same diameter, but has anyone experimented with smaller-diameter tires? I commute 200km daily and push the 80-20% rule pretty close in the winter, so I’m looking for ways to improve efficiency.
Most gas-powered F-150s have smaller tires than our Lightnings. I was thinking of trying 245/75R18—it’s about half an inch smaller in diameter but over an inch thinner. Plus, they weigh 35 lbs compared to the stock 42 lbs.
That setup would look a little sad and probably wouldn’t help much.
Honestly, I think you’d be better off just increasing your daily charge by 5%. Charging from 90-25% isn’t going to hurt your battery any more than 80-20% would. Just enjoy your truck!
@Jess
They’d still be bigger in diameter than the Pro 18s, just a lot thinner. 
@Jess
I don’t really care how my truck looks in winter. In the summer, I’d run the stock size because I get 330km on 60%, which is more than enough.
Skyler said:
@Jess
I don’t really care how my truck looks in winter. In the summer, I’d run the stock size because I get 330km on 60%, which is more than enough.
You’d see, at best, a 2% improvement. Is that really worth all the hassle just to avoid charging to 85%?
@Jess
If a bigger tire can cause a 10% range loss, a smaller, thinner one should have the opposite effect, right? I might give it a shot next winter when I buy new winter tires. Nothing to lose by testing it.
@Skyler
That 10% drop is from big mud or all-terrain tires with high rolling resistance, not just size alone.
Why are you so against charging to 85%? I charge to 80-90% daily in a much hotter climate than Canada and still have 99% battery health at 40,000 miles.
@Jess
I’m not against it—I’m just thinking long-term. If my battery degrades by 10% after a few years, I want to have options. I won’t always be driving 200km daily, but as an electrician, I go where the work is.
I just want to future-proof my setup for when I hit 160,000km.
@Skyler
Here’s the data:
That’s only a 1.6% improvement, even with a shorter tire AND 18” wheels instead of 22”.
There’s no way you’re going to get a meaningful range boost from a 1” shorter or narrower tire. Your best bet is a low rolling resistance tire and maybe a $200 bed cover.
@Jess
Platinums are actually 32.8”, not 33.9”.
I only asked because I had a car where I switched to wider tires (same diameter, just 20mm wider), and my fuel economy dropped by 1.5L/100km. That’s a pretty big difference, so I figured going thinner should have the opposite effect.
@Jess
You’re confused—it’s 275/50R22.
Skyler said:
@Jess
You’re confused—it’s 275/50R22.
This comment is empty—admin should fix.
Please don’t. If you have the ER battery, Ford already gives you an 8.6% buffer that protects against deep discharges and overcharging. I’ve been driving EVs long distances for over eight years—you’ll be fine charging to 90%, especially with Ford’s built-in protection.
Just do 90/10 in the winter.
Shannon said:
Just do 90/10 in the winter.
That doesn’t leave much room once the battery starts degrading. Before I do that, I’d probably add a diesel heater to the coolant loop. 
Thinner tires are less safe, especially in winter. I wouldn’t risk it.
