Impacts of tires on aerodynamic performance of a Formula Student electric vehicle: A high-resolution three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes study

Optimizing aerodynamic performance is paramount for enhancing the energy efficiency of electric vehicles. Reducing aerodynamic drag directly extends driving range and lowers battery consumption, making aerodynamics a fundamental element in modern electric-vehicle design. This study numerically investigates the influence of tire geometry on the aerodynamic performance of a Formula-style electric race car, with a specific focus on the aspect ratio of tire diameter to width. High-resolution computational fluid dynamics simulations of the full vehicle were conducted to analyze the effects of tire aspect ratio, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5, on the vehicle’s aerodynamic characteristics. The results show that, at a constant tire aspect ratio, larger-diameter tires yield lower aerodynamic drag and downforce (i.e., less negative lift), as well as reduce the lift-to-drag ratio. A clear correlation between tire aspect ratio and aerodynamic coefficients was established: small-diameter tires are favorable for improving lap-speed performance, whereas large-diameter tires are better suited for endurance applications. These findings provide practical guidance for the aerodynamic design of race cars, particularly in tire-selection strategies to achieve desired performance outcomes while maintaining equivalent aerodynamic efficiency.