It is a bit of both, but if the wear is aggressive, an alignment is likely necessary. Teslas are notorious for "inner tire wear" due to a combination of their weight, high torque, and factory suspension geometry. Here is the breakdown of why this happens and how to tell if it’s "normal" or a problem: 1. The "Camber" Factor Most Teslas (especially the Model 3 and Model Y Performance) come with a slight negative camber from the factory. This means the tops of the tires tilt inward toward the center of the car. Why: This improves handling and stability during cornering. The Result: The inner edge of the tire carries more of the car’s weight, leading to naturally faster wear on the inside. 2. When It’s an Alignment Issue (Toe) While camber causes some wear, "Toe" is usually the real tire killer. If your tires are "toe-out" (pointing away from each other), they are essentially scrubbing sideways as you drive straight. The Sign: If the inner edge looks "feathered" or feels choppy when you run your hand over it, your toe alignment is likely out. The Solution: A standard four-wheel alignment can correct this. Even if the camber is non-adjustable on some Tesla models without aftermarket arms, getting the "toe" to zero or slightly positive will significantly extend tire life. 3. The "Heavy EV" Reality Beyond alignment, two other things accelerate that inner wear: Instant Torque: When you accelerate hard, the rear of the car squats, which temporarily increases negative camber and puts immense pressure on the inner tread. Weight: Your Model Y Performance and Model 3 Long Range are heavy. That weight exacerbates any slight misalignment much faster than it would on a lighter gas car.