AUTO

Hankook Tire Launches iON EVO Summer EV Performance Tires

July 9, 2023

Hankook iON evo tires are designed to manage heavy battery packs and instant torque.
The iON evo tires have 18% less engine noise compared to traditional tires.
Hankook leads the way in engineering EV high-performance tires.
Hankook iON evo and iON evo SUV tires are available in eight sizes.

Electric vehicles need special tires designed for power, performance, and noise reduction, and Hankook Tire shared its latest EV tire technology in the iON evo and iON evo SUV tires. These EV tires are designed to grip the road for enhanced performance, especially in warm, summer weather.

Hankook Tire released iON all-season tires in the fall of 2022. These tires met the demands of EVs all around the country. The new summer iON evo tires will let EV drivers enjoy summer road trips in their EVs and SUVs, regardless of the weather conditions.

As more performance EVs hit the market, drivers need tires that enhance their driving experience. As EV batteries perform best in warm weather conditions, summer EV tires like the iON evo lineup let drivers get the most out of their performance vehicles.

Unique Tires for EV Performance

Electric vehicles put different pressures on tires compared to gas-powered vehicles. EVs weigh more, thanks to the heavy battery packs. Instant torque increases traction needs and reduced rolling resistance improves battery life. Because EVs do not have engine and exhaust noises, EV tires need technology that reduces road noise.

Hankook Tires developed the iON evo tires to meet these unique needs. According to Rob Williams, Hankook Tire America Corp. President, “iON tires deliver impressive performance and reliability without compromising the unique features that electric vehicles require.”

Improved Handling in Summer Weather Conditions

While all-season tires need to grip on wet and snowy roads, summer tires need to grip when the roads are warm and wet.

The new iON evo and iON evo SUV tires are designed to handle instant torque thanks to EV “Grip Boost” Technology. This special technology boosts cornering stiffness by 10 percent, and a special Aramid fiber ups steering performance. The tires also have shoulder blocks for maximum road contact and improved rigidity. The enhanced groove sizes help with wet grip while keeping road noises low.

Tread Wear and Added Life

Hankook Tires uses its proprietary “ProDurable Compound” blend of high-concentrated silica and environmentally-friendly materials to make the iON evo and iON evo SUV tires. The compound helps the tires spread pressure evenly to increase their lifespan.

Lowering Rolling Resistance for Longer Range

EV drivers worry about range and whether they can find a functional charging station. To help reduce anxiety, Hankook Tires developed the iON evo and iON evo SUV tires to improve range with less rolling resistance with technology called iExtremeLightness.

Noise-Proofing Technology

EVs are notoriously quiet – a benefit many EV drivers have come to appreciate. Unfortunately, the quiet drive is often ruined by excessive road noise. Hankook Tires considered this when designing the iON lineup of tires. The new tires have optimized multi-pitch sequencing to prevent the tread patterns from making unwanted noise. Compared to other brands of tires, the Hankook technology reduces cabin noise by 18 percent.

The Hankook EV Tire Lineup

Hankook Tire America Corp. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company distributes high-performance and ultra-high-performance tires for passenger vehicles. It also markets light-truck and SUV tires along with tires for commercial trucks and buses.

As Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd has its main office in Seoul, South Korea, it has extensive experience manufacturing EV tires for the global market. Hankook makes the iON race tire for the top EV motorsport group – the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Hankook offers the iON evo SUV in sizes ranging from 18 to 22 inches, and the iON evo range in size from 18 to 21 inches. Shoppers can choose from eight sizes in both models, and the tires come with a 30-day free trial. The all-season tires – the iON evo AS and iON evo AS SUV – went on sale in December 2022.