Cold Weather Can Now Be EV-Friendly

Why Winter Can Be a Friend to Your Electric Vehicle: The Case for Hankook’s iON Tires

Electric vehicles (EVs) have long carried the stigma of facing significant challenges during winter. The cold weather has been blamed for reducing their range, inducing range anxiety for fear of being stranded in snow, and making charging times longer. Yet, these perceptions are a relic of the past.

Modern electric vehicles are fully equipped to handle winter’s worst. Technological advancements such as heat pumps mitigate range loss, and real-world scenarios have shown that EV heaters can outlast those in traditional gas-powered cars. Furthermore, smart software now preconditions the battery for optimal charging, even in freezing conditions. Innovation has answered Old Man Winter’s every challenge, save for one critical aspect that often goes unaddressed: tires.

For EV owners tackling icy, snowy roads, tire performance is of utmost importance. Enter Hankook Tire’s iON line, which includes the iON i*cept winter tire and the iON FlexClimate all-season tire. Both are rated with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, certifying their prowess in severe snow service.

Addressing EV-Specific Challenges

Hankook’s iON tires are specifically engineered to meet the unique demands of electric vehicles. Here’s how they tackle the four main challenges:

• Noise Reduction: EVs are quiet, so tire noise must be minimized to ensure a serene ride.
• Low Rolling Resistance: Improves efficiency and extends range.
• Grip: High torque from electric motors requires excellent traction to prevent wheel spin.
• Durability: EVs are heavier, so tires need to be robust to handle the extra weight.

Hankook employs cutting-edge technology to meet these requirements. Their tires boast special rubber compounds for lower rolling resistance and lighter weight, robust construction to handle the added mass, a precise curing process that ensures uniform quality, and sound-deadening foam to dampen noise.

Advancing Winter Tire Technology

For the iON i*cept and iON FlexClimate tires, addressing cold weather performance is crucial:

1. ProDurable Compound: This special rubber blend is infused with natural oils, ensuring consistent grip even as temperatures drop. Its flexibility allows the tire to mold to the road, maximizing contact.
2. Tread Design: Employing diverse sipe strategies, these tires offer:
   • 2-D and 3-D Sipes: Varied shapes increase surface area, enhancing grip.
   • Angled Sipes: Help with braking on snow by creating a directional ‘V’ pattern.
   • Waterpipe Sipes: Channels on the tire edges expel water, utilizing centrifugal force to maintain traction.

Moreover, these tires are designed with an aerodynamic profile, reducing drag unlike traditional, bulky snow tires. This thoughtful design not only boosts performance but also increases vehicle efficiency.

Performance Validation

The iON i*cept and iON FlexClimate tires shine in independent tests. TÜV SÜD, a leading testing and certification body, rated these tires highest against premium competitors in snow, acknowledging their superior braking, handling, and acceleration.

Conclusion: Making EVs Winter-Ready

For EV owners in cold climates, tire options have been limited until now. Hankook’s iON i*cept and iON FlexClimate tires revolutionize how EVs interact with winter conditions, combining enhanced range, grip, and quiet operation with advanced technology suited for snow, ice, and rain.

With these tires, your electric vehicle and the winter season can finally be on friendly terms.

For more insights and updates, visit our website, Automotive.fyi. Stay connected with us on Twitter @automotivefyi, or send your tips and queries to tips@automotive.fyi.

By William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi