Why Don't EVs Come With Spare Tires?

[mkg3]

In case you were wondering, here's an article from InsideEV about it.

https://insideevs.com/features/750652/ev-spare-tires/

I've had to buy compact spare from Rivian for the R1S, Modern Spare for the Tesla.

When we used to own a Mini Cooper, it came with run-flat tires and really didn't t like those either (tires, car I liked)

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[Polar]

It’s not just EVs. I’m willing to bet the primary driver is cost cutting measures by manufacturers, to then up charge the customer more.

 

[strykerwsu]

It’s not just EVs. I’m willing to bet the primary driver is cost cutting measures by manufacturers, to then up charge the customer more.

This, most cars for last 10 years I’ve purchased or help purchase didn’t come with one. Our mach e finally got us the other night. Of all things a key gashed tire. I pay the $5 a month through insurance for non spare cars and got a tow to DT.

 

[ads75]

A lot of modern cars don't come with spares. It saves the manufacturer money, it's less weight (better mpg), more cargo space, one less thing to design crash standards or the interior or storage around. Not to mention current computer based AWD systems expecting matching tires, and tread wear, a smaller spare could cause havoc on those. I'm not sure how many people would even know how to change their tire if they had to. Also, by not having a spare, it forces the driver to buy a full sze tire instead of driving around indefinitely on a donut (which used to be <50mph, <50 miles).

I think the last generation VW Golf GTI came with spare, and the same body Golf R did not. I think the Golf R had an amplifier in the "spare" spot. (I could be wrong). I do know some people would buy the GTI spare tire parts (jack, spare, tub for the spare) and install it in their Golf R.

I'm sure tires are a lot better than they were 30 years ago, but I still prefer to have a spare.

 

[josh0]

In my 26 years of owning cars, my R1T is the first one that did not come with a spare.

That said, I have never once, in all that time, actually needed the spare. Not one single time have I ever been in a situation where a spare tire was useful. The closest we’ve ever come was when there was some piece of jagged metal in the road that ended up slashing both tires on one side, rendering the spare useless anyway.

 

[Captain JB]

Not having a full size spare on the R1S an “ADVENTURE” vehicle is the second biggest mistake Rivian has made after no Apple Car Play. Adventure means off road to many buyers which can be a gamble with no full size spare. There should have been a design of no 3rd row seats (which I will never use and when I ordered mine, there was an option for no 3rd row seats) with a full size spare. HUGE mistake and design flaw in my opinion.

 

[Steve A.]

In case you were wondering, here's an article from InsideEV about it.

https://insideevs.com/features/750652/ev-spare-tires/

I've had to buy compact spare from Rivian for the R1S, Modern Spare for the Tesla.

When we used to own a Mini Cooper, it came with run-flat tires and really didn't t like those either (tires, car I liked)

One of SEVERAL Rivian deficiencies that Scout Traveler solves which is why I put down my deposit and will be trading in my R1S in 2027/2028.

 

[CharonPDX]

It's not just an EV thing - there are tons of new ICE vehicles sold with no spare tire nowadays in the name of "weight savings" (and probably also "cost savings.")

My BMW i3, my Tesla Model S, and my Ford Mach-E all came without any form of spare. My kid's Subaru WRX also came with no spare. My Rivian is the only vehicle I've owned newer than 2004 that *HAS* a spare.

And if you really want to go serious off-roading with an R1S, either get a hitch-mount full-size spare carrier, or a roof-rack-mounted spare carrier.

 

[babock]

It's interesting that our 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe plug in Hybrid comes with a spare but the regular hybrid version does not. There is still a spot for one including the jack so many people add one later.

First thing I did with our 2025 R1T is finda a used wheel and tire and buy a bottle jack, lug wrench and pucks.

 

[GRC]

Question - does rivian roadside assistance cover flat tires?

 

[PNW_Bear]

Not having a full size spare on the R1S an “ADVENTURE” vehicle is the second biggest mistake Rivian has made after no Apple Car Play. Adventure means off road to many buyers which can be a gamble with no full size spare. There should have been a design of no 3rd row seats (which I will never use and when I ordered mine, there was an option for no 3rd row seats) with a full size spare. HUGE mistake and design flaw in my opinion.

I‘m wrestling with whether or not to buy a spare for my R1s(or temp or full size or just buy a full repair kit since I can actually patch a tire ).
I’m leaning towards buying a repair kit for a few reasons:

1. I haven’t had a flat in over 20 yrs
2. My insurance covers flats/towing
—- this is the one I question most —-
3. When I’m off roading (out of roadside assistance service area) - I’m always with others so patching can work fine (unless side-wall lol). Luckily this has never happened to me (jinx!).

I’m guessing a majority of Rivian owners won’t off-road so won’t need to carry a spare, they’ll just call roadside assistance or limp to their local tire shop.

Car makers are probably thinking that in a competitive market why should we include a spare and charge more to all drivers when only a few will actually use it? I don’t need or expect others to subsidize my off-road habits.

 

[PNW_Bear]

One of SEVERAL Rivian deficiencies that Scout Traveler solves which is why I put down my deposit and will be trading in my R1S in 2027/2028.

I’m super curious about what other deficiencies you’re experiencing? I’m about to take delivery on my first EV in a few weeks (r1s tri we’re a family of 5 outdoorsy types) are they fixable through OTA updates? Tell me more!

 

[Steve A.]

I’m super curious about what other deficiencies you’re experiencing? I’m about to take delivery on my first EV in a few weeks (r1s tri we’re a family of 5 outdoorsy types) are they fixable through OTA updates? Tell me more!

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my R1S but there are things I hate about it but they are mostly design related not fixable via OTA updates.

That said, I benefited from the preorder 20% discount pricing which means I paid ~$88k plus the $7,500 tax credit which I got thanks to Rivian's *creative* sales agreement loophole.

Would I pay $105k+ for a daily driver now? Most likely not, so *IF* Scout can deliver a Traveler starting at $50k, then hopefully after I add all the options I wont it won't be > $90k.

Rivians remain in a class by themselves but *IF* Scout delivers what they've promoted so far, then I will be trading in my Gen 1 R1S for the Scout Traveler.

Other than no Android Auto which Scout hasn't mentioned, here's my list of things I hate about my R1S: https://www.scoutevforum.com/forum/threads/dislikes-about-your-current-vehicle-that’s-offered-solved-by-the-scout-traveler-terra.11201/post-160677

 

[beatle]

Spares are a lot less popular now that cell phones and coverage is nearly ubiquitous for most of the driving that people will do. Additionally, with as big as wheels and tires have gotten, they take up a lot of room that a lot of people would prefer to have as cargo or passenger space. Cost is also a factor. It's nice that the R1T has a place for a spare though.

 

[Riviot]

no Apple Car Play.

@COdogman

It only took 6 posts for a completely unrelated thread to get a CP complaint. What's the current record?

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