Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) introduced its exclusive technology system for ‘iON,’ a tire brand designed for electric vehicles (EVs), to accelerate the efficiency in Research & Development (R&D) process and to enhance customer communication.
Hankook Tire established a more detailed technology system to improve its current industry-leading EV technology. The newly established system ‘iON INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY’ is named after the brand iON, which is successfully positioned as the representative tire brand for electric vehicles.
Based on the internal test conducted by Hankook Tire, the iON demonstrated up to 18% reduction in cabin noise, up to 15% increase in tire life, up to 10% increase in driving stability, and up to 6% increase in MPGe efficiency compared to tires for vehicles with an internal combustion engine. These results prove the importance and necessity of developing specialized technologies optimized for electric vehicles.
Four key tire technologies
The ‘iON INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY’ comprises four key tire technologies designed with electric vehicle attributes in focus including i Sound Absorber (Noise), i Super Mileage (Wear), i Perfect Grip (Grip), and i Extreme Lightness (LRR).
The four core technologies will be divided into 15 detailed technology components, providing a more organized and streamlined R&D process.
The core of the ‘iON INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY’ system is composed of 58 commercialized patent technologies that have been integrated into iON. Among these, a total of 9 patents have been applied to iON, including ‘Noise Guard,’ the thick, vertical tire groove on the tire’s surface that utilizes Knurling technology for noise reduction. Meanwhile, the mileage enhancement technology sector holds a total of 11 patents, including ProDurable Compound, designed to extend tire life by combining an advanced material, and ‘Round Even’, which renders a more uniformed road contact pressure.
23 patented technologies
A total of 23 patented technologies have been implemented to enhance tire grip and handling showcasing cutting-edge technologies like Grip Claw, a material utilizing ultra-thin-film 3D Kerf technology, and ProGrip Compound, which combines high silica concentrations with eco-friendly materials for improved grip performance. Furthermore, 15 patented technologies have also been implemented, including ProCoupling Compound, designed to enhance rolling resistance by increasing silica dispersion through optimal compound combinations.
Introduced to the European market in May of last year, iON expanded its reach to the Korean and U.S. markets in September and December. In May 2023, iON made its launch in Canada and China, the world’s largest EV market, and through these accomplishments, Hankook Tire is rapidly growing its position as a mainstream EV tire brand.
