Key Takeaway
- Matching the load index and inflation data on the driver's door jamb label ensures replacement tires safely support an electric pickup's fully loaded weight.
- Selecting NEXEN TIRE's ROADIAN HTX2 offers a highway-terrain design with a P-metric UTQG rating of 700 A A/B, while the ROADIAN ATX delivers all-terrain capability with a P-metric UTQG rating of 560/600 A B.
- Checking cold tire pressures monthly and rotating tires every 5,000–6,000 miles helps prevent uneven wear.
Watching factory tires wear down earlier than expected on an electric pickup is a common frustration. When you start shopping for a replacement set, the goal is straightforward: you want tires that last longer without sacrificing driving range. Finding that balance requires looking closely at your truck's weight requirements, understanding how tread patterns affect efficiency, and comparing options like NEXEN TIRE's highway-terrain and all-terrain lines that are engineered to handle both internal combustion and electric vehicles.
Vehicle Weight and Load Rating Requirements for Electric Pickups
An electric pickup carries substantial mass before you even load the bed or hook up a trailer. In the Ford towing guide, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is defined as the maximum allowable weight of a fully loaded vehicle, which includes both passengers and cargo. Every wheel position has to support its share of that total mass.
Federal regulations exist specifically to make sure your truck's wheels and tires can carry that load safely. According to NHTSA, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) Nos. 110 and 120 are designed to ensure safe operational performance by requiring covered vehicles to use tires with an adequate load rating mounted on rims of the proper size and type designation. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) noted that load-index values effectively communicate a tire's load-carrying capacity relative to the vehicle load at each wheel position, helping drivers select the correct replacement tires.
You do not need to guess these numbers when shopping. The Ford towing guide states that the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label lists the exact weight limits alongside tire size, rim size, and inflation-pressure specifications, and locates this label on the left front door lock facing or the door latch post pillar. Matching the load index and size on the driver's door jamb placard is the first step in choosing a safe replacement set.
How Highway-Terrain and All-Terrain Treads Affect Range and Wear
Once load capacity is sorted, the next big decision is tread pattern. If you are worried about losing miles per charge after switching tires, rolling resistance is the key factor at play. According to NHTSA, choosing low-rolling-resistance replacement tires improves vehicle fuel economy and extends the driving range of electric and hybrid vehicles. NHTSA estimates that cutting tire rolling resistance by 10% yields a 1–2% improvement in vehicle fuel economy, though the agency notes this is an estimate rather than a guaranteed result.
How does that translate to choosing between highway-terrain and all-terrain tires? NHTSA explains that tire design—including the tread design itself—directly influences overall tire performance and fuel efficiency. When weighing your options, you are balancing the road-focused efficiency of a highway tread against the off-pavement grip of an all-terrain design.
Comparing NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 and ROADIAN ATX for Electric Pickups
Drivers often wonder if an electric pickup requires a separate, EV-only tire category. NEXEN TIRE addresses this through its One-Tire strategy, which is engineered to deliver optimal performance across electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles alike. In March 2025, the brand introduced the EV Root mark to signify tires built to perform optimally on both internal combustion and electric vehicles. However, NEXEN TIRE was already supplying original equipment (OE) tires for electric vehicles and developing EV-suitable products well before that announcement, so the EV Root mark serves as a newer identifier for selected products rather than defining the full scope of its EV-capable portfolio. In other words, a tire that doesn’t carry the EV Root mark can still be a suitable fit for your electric pickup, as long as its size and load rating match your door jamb placard. That leaves you free to choose a model based on how and where you drive.
For primarily paved driving and highway commuting, the ROADIAN HTX2 is a high-mileage highway-terrain tire built for SUVs and light trucks, available in 16-inch to 22-inch wheel sizes with R, S, T, and H speed ratings, a P-metric UTQG rating of 700 A A/B, and 3PMSF severe snow certification on all non-OE sizes.
If your routine includes job sites, gravel roads, or trails, the ROADIAN ATX is an all-terrain tire for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks covering 15-inch to 22-inch rim sizes with Q, S, T, H, and V speed ratings, a P-metric UTQG rating of 560/600 A B, and 3PMSF certification on all sizes except OE and flotation fitments. NEXEN TIRE also supplies the ROADIAN ATX as OE equipment for Jeep’s all-electric off-road SUV, the Jeep Recon BEV, in 265/70R18 116T specification (UTQG: 580 A B). To handle rougher surfaces, the ROADIAN ATX features grip-retaining wear design, on- and off-road sidewall lugs, deep grooves, emerging 3D sipes, a puncture-resistant sidewall, two sidewall design options, and a 3-ply construction on LT-metric sizes above 16 inches.
| Feature | NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 | NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN ATX |
|---|---|---|
| Tire category | Highway-terrain | All-terrain |
| Rim sizes | 16–22 in | 15–22 in |
| Speed ratings | R/S/T/H | Q/S/T/H/V |
| P-metric UTQG | 700 A A/B | 560/600 A B |
| 3PMSF marking | Yes, except OE sizes | Yes, except OE and flotation sizes |
Pressure, Rotation, and Alignment Checks for Even Wear
Putting the right set of tires on your truck is only half the equation; keeping them wearing evenly across all four corners takes consistent maintenance. NHTSA advises checking the inflation pressure of all tires—including the spare—at least once a month while the tires are cold, meaning the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours. NHTSA also notes that proper wheel alignment maximizes tire life and helps keep the vehicle from pulling to the right or left on a straight, level road.
Under NEXEN TIRE's U.S. warranty, treadwear coverage is 70,000 miles for P-metric and 50,000 miles for LT-metric ROADIAN HTX2 sizes, and 70,000 and 60,000 miles for ROADIAN ATX, with rotations required at least every 5,000–6,000 miles.
Electric Pickup Tire Replacement Checklist
Before you place an order or head to the tire shop, use this step-by-step checklist to make sure your new tires match your truck and stay protected on the road:
- Check the driver's door jamb label first: Federal rules put the tire placard on the driver's-side B-pillar, or on the edge of the driver's door if the vehicle has no B-pillar; it lists the factory tire size and cold inflation pressures.
- Inflate to the truck's placard number, not the tire sidewall: NHTSA advises drivers to always use the vehicle manufacturer's recommended inflation pressure printed on the driver-side Tire and Loading Information Label or in the owner's manual, rather than the pressure stamped on the tire itself.
- Inspect tread depth regularly: Keep an eye on your wear bars as the miles add up, because tires worn past the treadwear indicators have less than 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) of remaining tread depth.
- Build a monthly and 6,000-mile maintenance routine: NHTSA recommends monthly maintenance inspections covering proper inflation pressure, treadwear, and physical tire damage, paired with recurring rotation, balancing, and alignment service.
FAQ
How should I decide between NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 and ROADIAN ATX for my daily pickup routine?
Start by looking at how often your truck leaves paved roads during a typical week. If your miles are almost entirely highway commuting and city errands, choosing the NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 keeps your setup focused on paved-road manners, whereas drivers who regularly navigate dirt tracks or unpaved work sites will benefit more from stepping into the NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN ATX.
How can I make sure a tire shop orders the exact NEXEN TIRE specification my electric pickup needs?
Before calling a dealer, take a clear photo of the certification label inside your driver's door jamb so you can read the exact size and load requirements over the phone. Sharing those numbers directly with the installer ensures they pull the proper NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 or ROADIAN ATX fitment for your truck's weight capacity rather than guessing from a general trim list.