Yokohama Advan Sport EV V108 Review — Japan’s EV Performance Tyre for NZ
Overall Rating: 9.0 / 10
Category: Ultra High Performance EV
Price in NZ: From $471 per tyre
Best for: Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ 6 — performance EVs
Available sizes: 18″ – 21″ rims
Quick Verdict
The Yokohama Advan Sport EV V108 brings Japanese engineering precision to the growing NZ electric vehicle tyre market. As EV sales in New Zealand continue to accelerate — with Tesla, Hyundai, and Kia dominating the segment — dedicated EV tyres are no longer a niche product but a mainstream requirement. The V108 delivers Yokohama’s Advan performance character — Orange Oil compound, strong wet and dry handling — in a construction specifically engineered for EV demands. At $471, it is the most affordable premium EV-specific tyre in NZ, sitting below the Michelin Pilot Sport EV ($721) and Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV ($676).
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | Ultra High Performance EV |
| EU Label — Wet Grip | A (highest) |
| EU Label — Fuel Efficiency | B |
| EU Label — Noise | 70 dB (2-wave) |
| Speed Ratings | Y (300 km/h) |
| Available Rim Sizes | 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″ |
| NZ Price Range | $471 – $850+ (varies by size) |
| Key Technology | Orange Oil compound, EV-reinforced construction, asymmetric tread |
EV Engineering: What Sets the V108 Apart from Standard Tyres
Weight reinforcement:
EV-specific load ratings accommodate the battery pack weight that makes EVs 20–30% heavier than petrol equivalents. The V108’s reinforced bead and sidewall construction maintains tyre geometry under these loads — critical for consistent handling and braking performance.
Instant torque management:
Electric motors deliver 100% torque instantly. Standard summer tyre compounds can undergo surface shearing under this immediate torque delivery — particularly in damp conditions during aggressive acceleration. The V108’s Orange Oil compound provides the traction needed to harness instant torque without compound degradation.
Low rolling resistance:
EU Label B rolling resistance — competitive for a high-performance EV tyre. Yokohama’s Orange Oil compound achieves this efficiency without the wet grip sacrifices that other low-resistance compounds make. The practical impact: meaningful range extension versus standard summer UHP tyres.
Performance Data
Wet Performance
- EU Label A wet grip — highest rating, maintained under EV loads
- Orange Oil compound provides strong wet traction at the contact temperatures EV braking generates
- Wide lateral grooves channel water effectively under the higher water displacement of heavy EV tyres
Dry Performance
- Advan brand dry cornering performance — the V108 maintains the responsive steering feel associated with the Advan Sport range
- Strong dry braking — competitive with non-EV UHP tyres in its class
- Asymmetric tread design provides optimised outer shoulder for dry cornering, inner for water evacuation
Range Optimisation
- EU Label B rolling resistance — approximately 5% range improvement vs standard UHP tyres
- For Tesla Model 3 Long Range (estimated 600 km WLTP range): approximately 30 km additional range per charge
NZ Road Conditions Assessment
Auckland and North Island — Primary Market
Verdict: Excellent — best-value EV performance tyre in NZ
For Auckland’s EV owners — who represent the largest concentration of EVs in NZ — the Advan Sport EV V108 offers the most accessible entry into dedicated EV tyre engineering. At $471, it undercuts the Michelin Pilot Sport EV ($721) by $250 per tyre ($1,000 per set) while delivering comparable wet grip (both EU Label A) and EV-specific construction. Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, and Kia EV6 owners who want genuine EV tyre performance without the Michelin price premium — this is the right choice.
Wellington
Verdict: Very Good
Wellington EV owners benefit from the V108’s wet performance credentials in the city’s frequent rain. The all-weather confidence of an A-rated wet grip tyre matches Wellington’s unpredictable conditions.
South Island
Verdict: Good — coastal areas in summer conditions
The V108 is a summer-oriented tyre. For Christchurch and Nelson EV owners, it performs well year-round. Queenstown and alpine Central Otago EV drivers should consider the Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV (3PMSF certified) for year-round alpine capability.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Most affordable EV-specific premium tyre in NZ at $471 (vs Michelin $721, Hankook $676)
- EU Label A wet grip — top safety rating
- Orange Oil compound — genuine Japanese eco-performance technology
- EV-reinforced for battery weight — proper EV tyre engineering at accessible price
- Advan brand performance character — responsive dry handling from Yokohama’s motorsport DNA
Cons
- Summer-biased compound — not suitable for South Island alpine winter without seasonal change
- No 3PMSF snow certification (Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV has this)
- No self-sealing option (Michelin Pilot Sport EV has this)
- Limited size range (18″–21″) — some EV models outside this range
Advan Sport EV V108 vs Key EV Tyre Rivals
| Tyre | Wet Grip | 3PMSF | Self-Seal | Range Ext | NZ Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokohama V108 | A | No | No | ~5% | $471+ | 9.0/10 |
| Hankook Ion Evo AS | A | Yes | No | ~5% | $676+ | 9.2/10 |
| Michelin Pilot Sport EV | A | No | Yes | ~8% | $721+ | 9.5/10 |
| Continental EcoContact 6Q | A | No | No | ~7% | $311+ | 9.0/10 |
Best value pick: For NZ EV owners who primarily drive in mild-to-moderate conditions and want the best price-to-performance ratio on a genuine EV tyre — the V108 at $471 is the answer.
Sources
- Yokohama Advan Sport EV V108 — yokohama.com — accessed 2026-06-01
- Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/yokohama/ — accessed 2026-06-01
- EV tyre comparison — thetirelab.com — accessed 2026-06-01
Related Pages
- Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV — all-season EV alternative
- Michelin Pilot Sport EV — premium EV choice
- Best EV Tyres NZ — full EV buying guide
- Yokohama Tyres NZ — brand overview