Slate Auto Selects Kenda Tire as Official Supplier

[Mac-Tyson]

https://evinfo.net/2026/07/slate-au...cial-supplier-for-affordable-electric-pickup/

“Under the new agreement, Kenda will be responsible for researching, developing, and manufacturing original equipment tires specifically engineered for Slate’s electric truck. The partnership goes beyond simply supplying an existing tire model. Engineers from both companies have collaborated to create products tailored to the unique characteristics of the vehicle, including its weight, performance requirements, efficiency goals, and expected driving conditions.”

 

[Freyar]

Do we know anything about Kenda? It's not a name I've heard before and all I know about EVs and tires is that EVs supposedly chew threw them a bit faster.

 

[Rocks]

Seems like they're like a Nitto or Khumo from 10 year ago, a retail value brand looking to go OEM.

 

[Luxrage]

Do we know anything about Kenda? It's not a name I've heard before and all I know about EVs and tires is that EVs supposedly chew threw them a bit faster.

A lot of EV tires also have foam inserts in them that are supposed to help with road noise. I know the Teslas get them. They're just bonded to the inside of the tire like a big ring.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Kenda has been in business since 1962:

Wikipedia: Kenda Rubber Industrial Company
Kenda: Our Story

Foam inserts are intended to help with noise reduction. They are not necessary for EVs and can hamper repairs.

 

[nstrains10]

I've used them before for mountain bike tires. They've always worked and run well but I know that's a different use case.

 

[Johnologue]

We've talked about them a bit in other threads. It's interesting, especially since they don't seem to be made-in-America, and the consensus seemed to be that the bigger domestic tire companies probably wouldn't have answered Slate's calls, and would've been significantly more expensive.

I don't think this article says much beyond "Kenda is designing EV tires for Slate, which have different priorities from conventional tires".

A lot of EV tires also have foam inserts in them that are supposed to help with road noise. I know the Teslas get them. They're just bonded to the inside of the tire like a big ring.

Foam inserts are intended to help with noise reduction. They are not necessary for EVs and can hamper repairs.

Hopefully, foam inserts won't be included and won't be necessary anyways. Higher-profile tires have more durability and less road noise to begin with, and the Blank Slate comes with 245/65/17 (65 is the profile or aspect ratio) tires.

If people pick the 20" wheels and low profile tires, they're signing up for a "sportier" experience that includes more noise and vibrations.

Now that I'm talking about it though, I wonder if they'll share more details about the wheel choices so people can make an informed decision.

Even the alloy wheels...if you look at the new Nissan Leaf trims, the higher trims consistently lose range. The base has aero-covered steel wheels, and the 2nd trim has the same size with alloys, which I'd expect to be better unless those wheels weren't aerodynamic. It's possible other things are reducing range on trim 2, but Nissan obviously isn't telling.

Slate is offering 17" steelies (which look aerodynamic), 17" alloys that may not be aerodynamic, and 20" alloys with an optional aero cover.

Range estimates, weights, an introduction to the differences between higher/lower profile tires, etc. Slate should make that info available once they have it.

 

[Auer]

https://www.instagram.com/kendamotorsports/?hl=en
Kenda Motorsports USA Instagram.

Some neat images there.
I have some hopes for the UHP tire they offer for the 20" Slate wheels https://www.slate.auto/en/store/ACCW012

Should be a decent 3 season tire for daily paved surface driving.

 

[calamari]

Do we know anything about Kenda?

I know about Kenda because the stock tires on my Aventon e-bike are Kenda Kwick Seven.5 Sport (27.5x2.20). They have an E50 rating, which means that they are designed to be optimal for speeds up to 50 kph (31 mph), compared to 25 kph (E25). There are a lot of complaints in bike forums about frequent flat tires with these Kenda bicycle tires compared to Schwalbe tires, but also some reports that handling with the Kenda's is better than the Schwalbe Marathon E-Plus. At least for bicycle tires, Kenda is seen as more of a budget brand. Whether any of this is remotely relevant to the Slate, maybe not, but thought I'd share anyhow.

 

[007]

Kenda Tire seems to have a couple of substantial buildings in the US.

 

[HTXSlate]

I am an avid cyclist. Kenda not bad on the bike. But like others have said, not apples to oranges.

What I find interesting is this statement:

"Under the new agreement, Kenda will be responsible for researching, developing, and manufacturing original equipment tires specifically engineered for Slate’s electric truck."

How much R&D can be completed in 6 months to include production to fill the orders by Jan (edit now December)? Not saying it can't happen but to think a tire specifically for the Slate was turned around that quick seems to be asking a lot. Unless R&D means finding a current tire that will fill the need. That I can buy.

 

[Luxrage]

What I find interesting is this statement:

"Under the new agreement, Kenda will be responsible for researching, developing, and manufacturing original equipment tires specifically engineered for Slate’s electric truck."

I'm expecting in the short term it's "Kenda, we will pick you as the OEM supplier for the tires. Here's a Slate, figure out which of your tires is best for it." Then, if the Slate is successful, maybe we'll get a special "compact EV truck" tire out of them after the money starts coming in.

I'm sure Kenda already has a perfect Slate tire in other markets for some overseas EVs, maybe they can pipeline some of those in.

 

[AZFox]

How much R&D can be completed in 6 months to include production to fill the orders by Jan (edit now December)? Not saying it can't happen but to think a tire specifically for the Slate was turned around that quick seems to be asking a lot. Unless R&D means finding a current tire that will fill the need. That I can buy.

That process has been underway for a while, I would imagine.

As far as I can recall all stock-sized (245/65R17) tires on steelies have been Kendas, both IRL and in the maker, from the beginning.

An OEM version of their existing tire with extra emphasis on low noise and rolling resistance wold do the trick.

 

[Auer]

An OEM version of their existing tire with extra emphasis on low noise and rolling resistance wold do the trick.

And more thread life, at least on paper.

 

[Auer]

I'm expecting in the short term it's "Kenda, we will pick you as the OEM supplier for the tires. Here's a Slate, figure out which of your tires is best for it." Then, if the Slate is successful, maybe we'll get a special "compact EV truck" tire out of them after the money starts coming in.

I'm sure Kenda already has a perfect Slate tire in other markets for some overseas EVs, maybe they can pipeline some of those in.

https://automotive.kendatire.com/en-us/find-a-tire/uhp/vezda-uhp-as/
vs
https://automotive.kendatire.com/en-us/find-a-tire/uhp/vezda-uhp-as2-ev/