Hankook Tire North America recently highlighted its electric vehicle (EV) tires, the iON evo A/S (SUV) and the iON evo icept (SUV) during a ride-and-drive event in. Portland, Ore.
The event took place days before the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Race. ( iON tires were supplied for the Formula E racing events by Hankook.)
The iON evo A/S is specifically made for electric vehicles and is an all-season tire that comes in 26 sizes. It fits wheels ranging from 18 to 22 inches in diameter and is available in speed ratings of H, V, W, and Y.
The iON evo icept is a studless winter tire that also fits wheels ranging from 18 to 22 inches in diameter and comes in H and V speed ratings.
Both tires are built with Hankook’s proprietary EVolution technology that focuses on tread wear minimization, noise reduction and grip.
“With the growth of the EV segment and a lot of performance demands associated with those EVs, I think you are finding that internal combustion engine (ICE vehicle) tires are not delivering the true (benefits) to EV owners,” says Rob Williams, president at Hankook.
“For example, we talked about the range, wear and rolling resistance – basically all the characteristics you need to enjoy an EV - and iON can deliver on each of those points.”
Hankook uses a foam insert in its EV tires to reduce tire noise, says Williams. However, the tires’ sidewalls also play a part in reducing noise.
“We designed the iONs with very stiff sidewalls, so there is less flex,” says Williams.
“Traditionally, that additional flex causes more noise. So when you take the inner foam layer along with the sidewall and the tread design, you get a very quiet tire.”
The tires also use Knurling technology that is applied within their grooves and narrows the air path without losing intended features.
Because of all this technology, Williams says that Hankook’s EV tires will be more expensive to manufacture and design.
He adds that these tires will be sold directly to tire dealers and through wholesalers.
Meeting expectations
The new Hankook iON evo A/S comes with a 50,000-mile warranty. Williams says this is important for consumers because traditional EV tires are getting less mileage – for example, in the 15,000- to 20,000- mile range, he notes.
“Most vehicle owners are not used to that low of mileage if they've been driving ICE vehicles,” he says.
“So 50,000 has kind of become the norm and customers are not prepared to replace tires every 20,000 miles. They don’t have the funds for that.”
In addition, battery weight makes EVs up to 30% heavier than ICE vehicles, according to the research Hankook presented, so the company created the iON evo A/S (and SUV) with EVolution technology, which is composed of high-concentration silica and eco-friendly materials to provide better mileage and wet performance.
What’s next?
Williams says the possible introduction of a Hankook brand light truck EV tire would depend upon demand from vehicle manufacturers.
“A good example of this demand is the Ford Lightning,” says Williams.
“We have an OE fitment for that vehicle, but it is not the iON. But as we see the market grow from a light truck EV standpoint, we definitely will want to be at the forefront of that.”
According to Hankook’s research, the year 2028 is when the market will see a tipping point for EVs and the vehicles will become widely accepted.
“Tire dealers and car dealers can look at EVs as a new channel of distribution, a new opportunity for additional profit and a chance to acquire new clients they didn’t currently have,” he says.
