Hankook adds an exclusive tyre for electric city buses to its catalogue

Hankook has developed the first tyre specifically designed for urban electric buses used in public transport. The new e-SMART City AU56 offers, according to the company, “low rolling resistance, high load capacity and excellent grip”.

Tyres for electric buses must meet high demands in daily use and require qualities different from those of other types of vehicle. Thus, rolling resistance must be low to maximise the bus’s range with each charge, but at the same time they must safely transmit the high torque delivered by electric drive motors without causing excessive tread wear. They must also withstand the heavy weight of an electric bus, which is greater than that of combustion-engine models that do not integrate a battery pack. On top of all this, they must be quiet to increase passenger comfort inside the bus.

Hankook states that it has considered all these points when developing the SMART City AU56. The company has used advanced technologies such as AI-assisted design, digital simulations and tread patterns printed using 3D technology.

Tyres for urban streets are subject to high mechanical loads, so the new e-SMART City AU56 has specially reinforced sidewalls to protect against impacts and damage when approaching kerbs and bus stops. The sidewall is designed to be as robust as possible while meeting all the demands of daily urban use. There is also an additional safety feature in the form of a new three-stage indicator that makes sidewall wear visible at a glance.

Hankook has spared no resources in developing the best possible tyre

The tyre features S-shaped sipes between the lateral and tangential tread blocks, improving the interlocking between blocks. This extends durability and increases the grip needed because of the high torque. Additionally, three-dimensional zigzag lines within the tread blocks enhance these capabilities. As tread depth decreases, hidden grooves and sipes are revealed, made possible by 3D printing technology. In this way, safety, traction and wet grip are improved throughout the tyre’s service life. The small staggered blocks also ensure even wear and prevent stones from becoming lodged, further extending the tyre’s service life.

“We are very proud to present our first product developed specifically for fully electric urban buses. The new e-SMART City AU56 increases the efficiency of public transport and advances the transition to electric mobility. Its low wear rate allows prolonged use, thus reducing costs. High-strength materials and innovative design ensure its durability even under extreme load conditions. Its structure also makes it ideal for subsequent retreading, which helps reduce resource consumption.”

The Hankook e-SMART City AU56 will initially be available in the standard size 275/70 R 22.5 and is suitable for all axle positions. The tyre carries the M+S marking and the 3PMS symbol, which confirms its suitability for winter as well. In addition, it features a new sidewall pictogram explicitly identifying it as an electric bus tyre.