Hankook Tire & Technology Co Ltd. will introduce a family of tires designed for high performance, premium electric vehicles in May.
The Ion tires will have features that focus on reducing rolling resistance, a quieter ride and improved resilience, which adds up to more range for every battery charge and a better experience for drivers. Hankook says the tires are also "designed for the instant high torques produced by powerful electric vehicles."
The line will launch globally with three designs — a summer (Ventus Ion) and winter (Winter i*cept Ion) design for Europe — and the Ventus Ion A, an all-season tire for North America.
Sizes will range from 18 inches to 22 inches.
Sooil Lee, CEO and president of Hankook Tire & Technology, says, “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. 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.”
IHS Markit expects the global share of battery-powered electric automobiles to increase 36.6% annually — from 6.4% to 29.5% in 2028.
Hankook already provides original equipment tires to premium automakers for electric vehicles, including Audi, BMW and Porsche, and starting with the 2022-2023 season, it will use its expertise to supply the world of electric motorsport, as appointed by the Federation International Automobile.
Hankook says the new Ion tires answer technical needs caused by the extra weight of batteries and need for higher load capacity. Aramid fibers "counteract the deformation forces caused by the especially high torque in electric vehicles." And the tread compound offers durability and reduced wear. Plus, the use of natural oils in the compound makes the tires more sustainable, while also helping with mileage.
The tires will also feature the Hankook Sound absorber integrated into the pattern design to reduce interior noise.
Bonhee Ku, executive vice president and chief technical officer of Hankook, says, “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.”
