Hankook Tire to launch iON brand for European EV market
Hankook Tire & Technology will launch its iON brand designed for high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe next month, becoming the world’s first tiremaker to introduce a full lineup of tires tailored for EVs, according to the company, Thursday.
The iON products will be available in three patterns — summer, winter and all-season — and in sizes between 18 and 22 inches. They will also be released in the Korean market this August.
Even before the global popularity of EVs, Hankook Tire developed technologies for eco-friendly vehicles, supplying its products for Porsche’s Taycan, Audi’s e-tron GT, Volkswagen’s ID.4 and Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3.
The tire company said its forthcoming iON lineup targets high-performance premium EVs.
“The Hankook sound absorber in combination with the specific pattern design integrated into the iON products reduces the interior noise significantly,” a Hankook Tire official said.
“We have countered the higher vehicle mass of EVs — caused by the considerable weight of the drive batteries — with a higher load capacity. Among other things, ultra-resistant aramid fibers effectively counteract the deformation forces caused by the especially high torque in EVs.”
The company noted that the tread compound, which features a high proportion of natural resin, also ensures exemplary durability and reduced wear.
It also mentioned the new compound’s high proportion of natural oils as another special feature, saying this not only makes the iON products more sustainable overall, but also has a positive effect on the mileage of the tires.
“With the introduction of this new iON tire family, our company is increasingly considering the rapidly growing demand for EVs and the associated need for suitable tires, also in terms of the need for replacements,” Hankook Tire & Technology CEO Lee Soo-il said. “With an improved travel range per battery charge, this new generation of tires will help to further optimize the efficiency of EVs in everyday use.”