Electric vehicle owners are always looking for ways to squeeze out a few more miles of range, but one Hyundai Ioniq 6 driver found a surprisingly effective solution—downsizing their wheels and tires. In a Reddit post, the owner reported seeing as much as a 20 percent improvement in efficiency after switching from the car’s stock 20-inch wheels to a set of smaller 17-inch tires.
There’s A Simple Way To Increase EV Range
The move wasn’t just about efficiency. The owner explained they were searching for snow-rated tires and ended up selecting a set of 225/60 R17 99H SL BSW. The smaller rolling diameter and narrower footprint reduce drag and rolling resistance, both of which can improve range in an EV. “Pretty noticeable jump in range,” they wrote, noting that going even narrower—down to 215s—might have boosted range further.
Of course, there are trade-offs. The Ioniq 6 owner mentioned that tire noise is “a bit louder than the stock 20s” and that the car “bottoms out more often,” though they aren’t sure if that’s due to the wheel change or tire pressure, which they currently have set at 34 psi. They’re considering bumping it higher for even more efficiency gains. The driver also pointed out that their results may vary from others since they live in a hilly area.
Why It Works
Wheels and tires are one of the easiest ways to influence efficiency on any car, but the effect is especially noticeable with EVs. Larger wheels and wider tires often look sportier, but they increase weight and rolling resistance. Smaller wheels with taller sidewalls, on the other hand, reduce unsprung mass and help the car slip through the air more efficiently—meaning less energy is needed to cover the same distance.
A Growing Trend Among EV Owners
This Ioniq 6 driver isn’t alone. Across EV forums and communities, more owners are experimenting with smaller wheels, low-rolling-resistance tires, and higher tire pressures to extend range. With EV charging infrastructure still uneven in many areas, even a modest boost in efficiency can help reduce charging stops on long trips.
This Reddit thread is a good a reminder that efficiency doesn’t always come down to advanced aerodynamics or expensive battery upgrades. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a wheel and tire swap.
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