Can Rubber Tires Withstand Lightning?
3 Answers
Yes. Rubber is an insulator. Here are the details: Introduction: Materials that are not good at conducting electricity are called insulators, also known as dielectrics. Supplement: Insulators can be divided into three categories: gaseous (such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and all gases in a non-ionized state), liquid (such as pure water, oil, paint, and organic acids), and solid (such as glass, ceramics, rubber, paper, quartz, etc.). Rubber refers to highly elastic polymer materials with reversible deformation, which are elastic at room temperature, can undergo significant deformation under small external forces, and can return to their original state after the external force is removed.
Regarding whether rubber tires can withstand lightning, as someone who often drives in the rain, I find this concern quite interesting. Rubber itself is an insulator and does not conduct electricity easily, so theoretically, tires can provide some level of protection, reducing the risk of direct contact with lightning. However, the issue lies in the immense energy of lightning—tires alone aren’t enough. The overall design of the car is crucial, as the metal body acts like a protective shield—this is called the Faraday cage effect—where the current flows around the exterior without entering the interior to harm you. Therefore, sitting inside a car during a lightning strike is much safer than standing outside. Tires are just an auxiliary factor; the car would still offer protection without them. With over 20 years of driving experience, I slow down and use low-beam lights during heavy storms. If lightning strikes, I simply pull over to a safe area and wait it out. Don’t believe myths—just maintain your tires properly in daily life.
From a technical perspective, the relationship between rubber tires and lightning needs clarification. While tire rubber has good insulation properties, it cannot independently withstand a lightning strike. When lightning actually hits a vehicle, the massive current primarily dissipates through the metal frame, thanks to the car's overall structure—similar to a safety cage. The main function of tires is to provide insulation from the ground, preventing direct charge transfer. However, rubber isn't foolproof under high voltage and may burn in extreme cases. So rather than relying on tires' "resistance," it's better to understand a vehicle's lightning protection mechanism: maintaining proper body grounding. During thunderstorms while driving, I always pull over and wait inside the car—just ensure the tires have no cracks.
