Hankook launches the iON Winter, a new winter tyre designed specifically for electric vehicles

The needs of new electric vehicles have little or nothing to do with those of traditional combustion vehicles, both mechanically and in terms of components, the latter mostly created specifically to be as efficient as possible and to squeeze out the maximum possible range in kilometres. That is why transferring components from one type to the other is difficult, including tyres.

That is why you can see how, alongside the rise of electric vehicles, the main tyre manufacturers are presenting ranges specifically for this type of vehicle, and now that winter is approaching, manufacturers are rushing to present this type of tyre. And just as with a combustion vehicle, electric vehicles also need this type of tyre, especially in areas where it is highly recommended.

But even if we do not live in areas where it snows frequently, we have pointed out on several occasions the great advantage of this type of tyre, all the more so now that “all season” tyres also exist, which we can use all year round. As you know, winter tyres do a spectacular job when driving on snow, but also on water, since the design of their tread pattern allows water to be evacuated more effectively, increasing safety. They also perform well in cold temperatures, since their optimal working temperature is below 7 degrees.

With this type of tyre and especially electric vehicles in mind, Hankook now presents the iON Winter, a winter tyre that joins the iON evo summer tyre, also created specifically for electric vehicles. To do so, Hankook had to meet several objectives, which the iON Winter addresses: reduced rolling resistance to achieve greater range, minimum rolling noise to ensure comfort, high load capacity due to the greater weight of electric vehicles, and the ability to withstand the high instantaneous torque of this type of vehicle.

To achieve this, Hankook used natural oils in the iON Winter together with a high silica content, which provide strong grip on both wet and snowy roads, and also a special flexibility that allows the tyre to adapt to the road surface while minimising movement in the profile. Noise is also important, and for this Hankook has used its Sound Absorber technology together with a new tread design, noticeably reducing acoustic emissions thanks to active guiding and the reduction of sound waves.

This new tread pattern also helps reduce air resistance, which directly benefits the efficiency and range of electric vehicles. As you know, these vehicles use batteries that add to their final weight, so Hankook has also used a new compound in the iON Winter that guarantees greater durability as well as high wear resistance.

The new Hankook iON Winter is already on sale in the European market in sizes ranging from 18 to 22 inches, and the company has also confirmed that new products in the iON range are on their way, which we can interpret as an “all season” tyre for electric vehicles, an offering already available in North America with the iON evo AS.