From scooters to electric scooters
The world is changing. And if you've chosen an electric scooter for your mobility, you've already taken the first step towards the future.
Some countries around the world have already set a date by which the use of internal combustion vehicles will be forbidden. Some towns and cities are encouraging the use of electric scooters by making their parking free, while charging it for combustion-powered two-wheelers.
Studies estimate that by 2030, 30% of two-wheelers will be powered by an electric battery. There is no doubt that the shift towards electric vehicles has already begun. And this includes, of course, electric scooters.
What are the characteristics of electric scooters?
Of course, the first main difference is in the type of energy used: the battery in the case of an electric scooter. But did you know that it exists in different forms? Two technologies have been developed in parallel:
a fixed battery that can be recharged at a charging point, as on cars
a removable battery that you replace with a new one once it's empty.
It's hard to say which will become the most popular, but fixed batteries are currently the most widely used by the general public.
The removable battery, on the other hand, is developing more in the delivery sector, since the electric scooters used for this activity may have to travel several hundred kilometres a day. The cost of a removable battery is therefore more attractive, and there's no need to wait for a charge.
How Do I Choose Electric Scooter Tires?
Despite these differences, the requirements for e-scooter tyres are basically the same as for internal combustion scooters.
To help you make the right choice, here are the important criteria we recommend you take into account:
good grip on wet and dry surfaces
good longevity (the better a tyre performs in terms of longevity, the better it will respond to the faster wear that electric scooters entail)
less rolling resistance for optimised battery life, so you can cover more kilometres on a single charge.
Our Electric Scooter Tire: Michelin City Grip 2
This range, specially designed for e-scooters, has been co-developed with an electric scooter manufacturer to meet all the requirements of this type of vehicle.
MICHELIN City Grip 2
This is Michelin's historic tire range for scooters. For this reason, it is available in more sizes.
It is the market reference for safety and wet grip and it is ""electric-ready"", which means that it is also suitable for electric scooters.
The Michelin City Grip 2 tire offers an excellent grip on wet or slippery surfaces thanks to its new silica-based rubber compound with shark tooth sipes.
Silica technology also means lower rolling resistance, and therefore battery saving when used on electric scooters.
This tyre has been selected by major manufacturers to fit on their scooters.
How Do I Find My Electric Scooter Tire Size?
If you don't know your e-scooter tyre size, it's very easy to find out. Simply look on the sidewall of your tyres, where it is always indicated. All you have to do is check that your size is available on one or other of the tyres.
Be sure to check the front and rear tyre sizes, as they may differ depending on your model of electric scooter.
This tire offers the following key benefits:
Excellent grip in the wet
A new silica-based rubber compound with unique shark-tooth sipes gives this tire excellent grip on wet or slippery surfaces.
More miles
Battery saving and maximum grip while maintaining the renowned longevity of the MICHELIN City Grip ranges.
Energy saver
This tire offers very low rolling resistance thanks to the new "Electric ready" silica-based materials with very low energy dissipation. As a result, your battery will last longer than with the original MICHELIN City Grip (around 7% longer).
This is Michelin's historic tire range for scooters. For this reason, it is available in more sizes.
It is the market reference for safety and wet grip and it is "electric-ready", which means that it is also suitable for electric scooters.
MICHELIN City Grip 2 offers an excellent grip on wet or slippery surfaces thanks to its new silica-based rubber compound with shark tooth sipes.
Silica technology also means lower rolling resistance, and therefore battery saving when used on electric scooters.
This tire has been selected by major manufacturers to fit on their scooters.
How do I find my electric scooter tire size?
If you don't know your e-scooter tire size, it's very easy to find out. Simply look on the sidewall of your tires, where it is always indicated. All you have to do is check that your size is available on one or other of the tires.
Be sure to check the front and rear tire sizes, as they may differ depending on your model of electric scooter.
FAQ
Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Electric scooters have specific tire requirements driven by the same factors as electric cars: instant torque delivery from the motor and the weight of the battery. Tires for electric scooters need to handle the immediate torsional stress of electric motor acceleration, the load of the battery, and do so as quietly as possible given the low ambient noise of the electric powertrain. Michelin designs tires for electric scooters that address these characteristics rather than adapting motorcycle or bicycle tires.
Correct pressure is the foundation — check before every ride on an electric scooter. Scooter tires are often smaller diameter than motorcycle tires, which means they complete more rotations per mile and have less air volume, both of which make pressure management more critical. A small pressure loss on a small-diameter tire represents a larger percentage of total volume than on a larger tire. Visual inspection for embedded objects and tread wear is equally important.
Electric motors deliver full torque immediately, which applies a high rotational stress to the rear tire on acceleration. This can accelerate tread wear on the rear tire relative to what a combustion-engine scooter of similar power would produce. Smooth, progressive throttle inputs — even though the motor is capable of abrupt delivery — preserve the rear tire and extend its life.
Yes. Scooters typically use smaller diameter wheels, which means the tires contact the road with a higher rotation frequency per mile. Combined with the electric motor's torque characteristics, rear tire wear can be faster than on a larger-wheel motorcycle. Monitor tread depth more frequently than you might on a larger bike, and plan tire replacement before the wear limit rather than discovering it unexpectedly.
Match the size, construction, and load/speed ratings specified by the scooter manufacturer. Beyond that, look for tires designed for electric two-wheeled vehicles — they'll have compounds and construction suited to the torque delivery and load of an EV powertrain. Rolling resistance matters for range: lower rolling resistance tires allow the battery to power the scooter further on a charge.
Changing from the manufacturer's specified size should only be done with confirmed compatibility guidance from the manufacturer or a professional. Scooter geometry and handling are calibrated around specific tire dimensions. Fitting a different profile or diameter changes the effective gear ratio, speedometer accuracy, and handling characteristics. Always check manufacturer guidelines before altering from the specified size.