I drive a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S in Vermont, and while I didn’t put snow tires on it last year, I put Bridgestone Blizzak LM005s on it this year. Here’s how it went.

My 2023 AWD VW ID.4 Pro S with an 82 kWh Li-ion battery pack did just fine on its all-season tires last winter. This 295 hp with 339 pound-feet of torque EV has a four-wheel independent suspension that gives it improved traction, and the ID.4 AWD has a Traction mode feature, which engages both motors together at lower speeds. 

But I decided to put snow tires on this winter to see if it improved traction in messy conditions, as I’m not a massive fan of taking safety risks. So, thanks to the folks at Bridgestone, I got to test a set of Blizzak LM005s. They have 3D sipes (the grooves that help improve grip) and a high sipe density pattern that improves traction on snow and ice.

They also have a directional tread pattern for grip and snow-shearing force and an advanced tread compound – the part of the tire that connects to the road. It’s the tread pattern that makes snow tires noisy, but I found the sounds of the LM005s to be pretty discreet.

If you think it’s weird that I’m writing about snow tires in May, know that the 2023-24 “winter” in Vermont ran well into the spring months – the snow in my yard only melted a few weeks ago. When we did get snow, the temperature would fluctuate between below-freezing to the 40s and 50s, creating sleet and freezing rain and fun stuff like that. Then we got two big dumps of snow in March: two feet, then 1.5 feet.

So, I tested the LM005s in slush, packed snow, puddles, and icy patches on dirt, gravel, and pavement. They had solid snow traction and braking when I drove for two hours after the 1.5-foot dump to get in a late skiing session at Okemo (main photo). I had complete control of my car; handling and braking were solid on flat stretches, hills, and all surface types.

The time I felt my tires slip was in wet slush on my long gravel driveway on a hill. A tricky curve has pushed more than one car off the drive into the snow, including our plow guy’s truck, and that slushy curve tested these tires. When I felt grip loss, I adjusted my driving and didn’t slide off my drive. I drove slowly when ice formed because I’m not an idiot, so I didn’t feel slippage.

EVs are heavier than gas cars due to the weight of their powertrains, which helps keep them more stable on the road. It also means they wear out tires more quickly. The LM005s aren’t EV-specific, but their frictional grip was more than adequate for my ID.4. I’ve now put my all-seasons back on, and I will be interested to see how many winters I get out of the LM005s. The mechanic said they’re good to go for next winter. I’ll report back.

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the VW ID.4 in stock.–affiliate*

Read more: VW finally rolls out Plug&Charge on its 2023 ID.4s

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On the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss what’s happening with the Tesla Supercharger network, is battery swap going to be a thing?, Ford goes back on BEV, and more.

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Commercial EV startup Canoo looks to have delivered at least one electric delivery van to one of its newest customers, the United States Postal Service (USPS). The recently posted images show a customized Canoo LDV 190 donning USPS badging and a design slightly different from the original renderings.

Canoo remains an interesting EV startup that, for years, has straddled the line between genuine vehicle production and pure vapor. For every bump it has taken, the company has a knack for bouncing back with some form of encouraging news to keep its stock compliant.

For example, the startup announced a reverse stock split this past March as its share prices hit an all-time low. Less than two weeks later, however, its stock surged as its EV production facility in Oklahoma received approval as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ).

In recent years, Canoo has established several key customers, including Wal-Mart, Kingbee, and NASA. This past January, Canoo announced another notable name on its clientele list – the USPS. The petite deal included the purchase of six LDV 190 delivery vans from Canoo that are right-hand driving for USPS workers.

At the time, we reported the small order from Canoo, which provided further evidence that the USPS was still very focused on electrifying its fleet while still searching for the “perfect EV” to get it there. Recent images show that at least one LDV 190 has made its way to the postal service and is being tested as a potential option for future parcel deliveries.

USPS branded Canoo LDV spotted in Atlanta

The images above were posted by X user oonac15, who spotted the customized Canoo van in Atlanta. Right out of the gate, there are several noticeable differences in the real-life LDV 190 compared to the rendering posted when Canoo announced the initial purchase from the USPS.

For starters, the door handles have been revamped to a more traditional style instead of remaining flush within the door panel. We surmise this was a customization requested by USPS to ensure its drivers can enter the vehicles more easily and quickly, especially during months of inclement weather when ice could be an issue.

The van’s right side also includes a second window on the compartment door. It’s impossible to tell if this was Canoo’s plan for the USPS van all along, but it would appear custom, considering the original LDV 190 design does not include said window.

Two mirrors have been added to either side of the van’s rear, and new lighting mechanisms have been added on top of the LDV above the windshield. Canoo’s real-life version is also equipped with much nicer wheels than we are used to seeing on USPS trucks, but that design could certainly change should these vans start rolling out in mass quantities.

Neither Canoo nor USPS have shared any updates to the pilot project since announcing the initial purchase of the six LDV 190s, but the postal services appear to be testing them out. The van would admittedly look pretty damn cool delivering mail around the US, but perhaps its focus will be on packages? It seems kind of large for just mail. Hopefully, we will learn more soon.

Canoo is expected to share its Q1 2024 financial report on May 14 at 5 PM ET.