Actually yes, although it seems strange that electric and hybrid cars need different tyres to petrol cars, there are two main reasons why this is. The batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles are significantly heavier than petrol engines. That huge battery runs a lot quieter than an engine though, which means drivers can hear the tyres more. This means that electric car tyres are designed and manufactured to handle more weight and reduce noise.
Ideally you always want your tyres to be the same brand because different brands have different tread patterns and mixing them together can affect braking efficiency and how accurate your speedometer is. Different brands on the front and rear tyres is acceptable, but not on the same axel, i.e. the left and right tyres.
Yes, tyres on the same axel, front and rear, should both be replaced when one needs replacing, to ensure they are the same model, brand, and tread depth. Similarly to why all your tyres should be the same brand, different tyres on the same axel can make driving unpredictable and dangerous.
In some cases yes, tyres can be repaired, but it depends on the location and severity of the puncture. Because the integrity of tyres is so important to the safety of road users, it isn’t as straightforward as you might think. The British Standard BS AU 159 details a complex process of checks and limitations, including making sure the tyre is structurally sound and the puncture is within the central width of the tyre. If your tyre has a puncture we’ll take a thorough look at it before recommending repairs or replacement.
