A spare tire used to be a common feature in cars, but no longer. An increasing number of models now come without spare tires, but why? If it was a feature for so long, why the change? One car brand in which you’ll certainly never find a spare tire is Tesla, even in the larger models like the Model X and Model Y.
Why doesn’t Tesla include a spare?
Why So Few Spare Tires in 2021
This isn’t just a Tesla phenomenon. As early as 2017, it was being reported that up to a third of OEMs, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jeep and Chevrolet, were forgoing the addition of a spare tire in their new models, when as recently as 2006 there were spare tires in 95 percent of new car models. There are three big reasons to help explain this:
1. Tire Repair Kits
Easy-to-use DIY tire repair kits have become the norm and last between 4-7 years. They are easy to conceal within the trunk compartment ready to fix minor damage to tires and allow you to safely drive on to an auto shop for help. You can pick up a Tire Repair Kit from Tesla for about $70.
2. People Can’t Change Them
A significant number of people simply don’t know what to do with a spare tire anyway. Though there are still about 81 percent of drivers who have experienced a flat tire and 74 percent who say that know how to change a flat tire, leaving about 1 in 4 who doesn’t know. That’s according to a survey of 2,000 US drivers by Cooper Tires.
3. Reliance on Roadside Assistance
Even when the majority claim to know how to change a spare tire, it seems that they don’t want to. As things stand currently, about 35 percent (just over 1 in 3) of American drivers say they would call roadside assistance if they broke down, and 34 percent said they would call roadside assistance in the event of a flat tire. Another 21 percent said they’d still call for help, but from known individuals.
Benefits of Losing the Spare
One additional reason that Tesla and many other automakers are eschewing spare tires onboard their vehicles is to provide additional benefits to consumers.
- Weight reduction – a spare tire adds about 25-50lbs to the car’s weight, which doesn’t seem a great deal, but in a market where every pound counts, it means something.
- Better battery efficiency – in an electric vehicle like a Tesla, shedding the spare tire is part of what makes Tesla’s powerful battery the most capable in terms of max range since it doesn’t need to carry around unnecessary weight.
- More space – the space that was previously used for a tire can now be used for other cargo, or simply left as space to keep the total weight down.
It may seem odd that new cars do not come with a spare, but as gas cars are forced to increase fuel economy, and EVs are competing on range, dropping the spare makes a lot of sense. Hopefully, you’ll never even notice it missing, but if you do, the repair kit or roadside assistance will be able to help you out!
