Hankook announced that it will launch a new line of tires under the “iON” name designed specifically for electric vehicles. Intended to reduce rolling resistance and to work with heavy, high torque vehicles, the tires will be coming this year.
Initially available in three models, the tires are designed for high-performance and premium vehicles. They will be offered in sizes ranging from 18- to 22-inches and, in Europe, the Hankook Ventus iON S summer tire will be available as of May. From September, buyers will have access to the Hankook Winter i*cept iON tire. North Americans, meanwhile, get the Hankook Ventus iON A all-season tire, and more products will be available in the future.
“With the introduction of this new iON tire family, our company is increasingly considering the rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles and the associated need for suitable tires, also in terms of the need for replacements,” said Sooil Lee, president and CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology. “With an improved range per battery charge, this new generation of tires will help to further optimize the efficiency of electric vehicles in everyday use.”
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All of the tires have been designed to help EVs go farther on a charge thanks to their lower rolling resistance. That’s not, however, the only requirement of EVs. Since they’re so quiet, the tires need to be quiet, too, and Hankook has used its trademarked sound absorber technology in combination with a specific tread pattern design to reduce noise.
“We are particularly proud that the new Hankook iON summer tire, for example, has achieved an A/A/A rating on the EU tire label. This corresponds to the highest performance in terms of rolling resistance, wet grip, and tire noise,” said Bonhee Ku, executive vice president and CTO at Hankook.
The tires have also been made to last longer and to deal with the weight and initial torque delivery of electric motors. Using ultra-resistant aramid fibers in the rubber helps counteract the deformation forces caused by high torque, Hankook says. Natural resin, meanwhile, makes the tires more sustainable, longer-lasting, and improves mileage.
