Hankook Tire Introduces EV-Specific Snow Tires for Enhanced Winter Performance

Hankook Tire has unveiled EV-specific snow tires designed to improve range and maintain grip in cold weather, addressing a common challenge for electric vehicle (EV) owners.

Electric vehicles have long been considered incompatible with cold weather, with issues like reduced range, longer charging times, and the risk of being stranded in snow. However, advancements in EV technology, such as heat pumps and battery preheating, have mitigated many of these challenges. Now, Hankook Tire is addressing another critical aspect: tires.

EV-specific tires are known to offer benefits such as reduced noise, improved grip, lower rolling resistance, and enhanced tread life. But what options do EV owners have for winter conditions? Enter Hankook’s new iON i*cept winter tire and iON FlexClimate all-season tire, both carrying the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, indicating their suitability for severe snow conditions.

Technological Advancements: Both the iON i*cept and iON FlexClimate belong to Hankook’s iON line of EV-specific tires, incorporating technologies to address noise, grip, rolling resistance, and tread life. These tires are designed with special rubber compounds that offer lower rolling resistance and stronger construction to support the heavier weight of EVs.

For winter performance, Hankook has gone a step further. The iON i*cept and iON FlexClimate are built with the ProDurable Compound, a rubber compound rich in natural oils that maintains grip even in freezing temperatures. This compound allows the tire to adapt to the road surface, creating a larger contact patch for improved traction, while its inherent strength prevents deformation.

Innovative Tread Design: The tread design is another key feature, utilizing advanced sipes to enhance grip without increasing rolling resistance. The diversified sipes, including straight, curved, and zig-zag patterns (2-D and 3-D sipes), increase the tire’s surface area for better traction. Angled sipes and a directional 'V' pattern

aid in braking on snow, while waterpipe sipes help expel water from the tire’s surface.

Moreover, these tires are aerodynamically optimized to reduce drag, unlike traditional bulky snow tires. This design contributes to better efficiency and range in winter conditions.

Proven Performance: Independent testing by TÜV SÜD, a certification organization, rated the iON i*cept and iON FlexClimate tires highly for braking, handling, and acceleration in snow, outperforming other premium snow tires.

Conclusion: Hankook Tire’s iON i*cept and iON FlexClimate tires represent a significant advancement for EV owners in cold climates. These tires not only improve range and maintain grip but also offer quiet operation and advanced technology for winter conditions. With these innovations, EVs and cold weather are no longer at odds.