Hankook Tire Targets 1.1 Million-EV Era... Strengthens 'iON' Position

Full lineup spanning all-season and performance tires
Expanding OE supply to global automakers

As the number of electric vehicles on the road in South Korea has surpassed 1.1 million, interest in and demand for EV-specific tires are growing.

Global automakers are also seeking EV-specific tires as original equipment (OE) tires for new vehicles to improve driving performance and ride comfort. Hankook Tire & Technology is seeking to gain an early lead in the EV-specific tire market with iON, its EV tire brand developed using proprietary technology.

Hankook Tire's dedicated electric vehicle tire, iON evo.

Hankook Tire & Technology said on Oct. 29 that it has built out the iON product lineup, spanning performance, all-season, all-weather and winter tires, and expanded its supply network to offer about 300 sizes from 16 to 22 inches.

Launched in 2022 as the world's first of its kind, iON is designed to deliver low noise, improved mileage, strong grip and low rolling resistance. The tires use the company's proprietary iON Innovative Technology system, which brings together 58 patented technologies developed for commercialization.

Electric vehicles are characterized by heavy loads from their batteries, instant torque and a driving environment without engine noise. These characteristics can limit the driving performance and wear management of conventional tires.

The brand's flagship product, iON evo, increases cornering stiffness by 10%, reduces cabin noise by up to 18%, and improves energy efficiency and mileage by up to 6% and 15%, respectively. In Auto Bild, a German automotive magazine, iON FlexClimate ranked first overall for the second consecutive year in a test of all-season tires for electric vehicles. It also demonstrated its technology with top finishes in major categories at the WhatTyre Awards in the UK.

Hankook Tire & Technology has also made notable gains in supplying original equipment tires to automakers around the world. iON tires are fitted on strategic EV models from major brands, including BMW's flagship electric sedan, the i7; Polestar's Polestar 4; Ford's Mustang Mach-E; and Kia's EV2, strengthening the company's position in the dedicated tire market.

Hankook Tire's electric vehicle-exclusive tire, iON evo. Hankook Tire

A Hankook Tire & Technology representative said, "We develop products using technologies tailored to electric vehicles and have earned recognition for our competitiveness through tests by leading European automotive magazines. The growing number of OE partnerships with premium automakers around the world supports iON's competitiveness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.