Understanding Rolling Resistance: How It Impacts Your Tires and Fuel Efficiency

Unlock Extra Mileage and Performance with Hankook’s iON Tires for Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) have revolutionized the automotive industry by providing emissions-free driving for hundreds of miles on a single charge. However, even with the best technology, range anxiety—a concern about running out of battery before reaching a charging station—remains an issue for many EV owners. Whether your car boasts a range of 130 miles or an impressive 300, any increase in range is always welcome.

One often overlooked but highly effective solution to extending your EV’s range lies right beneath you: upgrading to EV-specific tires. Enter the iON line from Hankook Tires. These advanced tires promise to deliver a 6.3% increase in range simply by reducing rolling resistance, outpacing traditional tires used on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. For context, that means a 130-mile EV could travel an additional 8 miles, while a 300-mile EV might extend its range by nearly 20 miles.

The Science Behind the Magic

So, how do Hankook iON tires achieve this seemingly magical feat? The secret lies in minimizing rolling resistance, the friction between your tires and the road that steals away valuable energy, which otherwise would propel your EV forward. High rolling resistance causes more friction, slowing down the car when it’s not accelerating and making the motor work harder to maintain speed.

The goal is to strike a balance between too much friction, which wastes energy, and too little traction, which could diminish the car’s stability on the road. Hankook’s iON tires are engineered to offer this perfect blend, ensuring maximum energy efficiency while keeping your vehicle safely planted on the road.

Innovations in Design and Material

Hankook iON tires are upgrades over traditional tires in virtually every aspect. They tackle four primary challenges unique to EVs: noise, tread life, grip, and rolling resistance. Unlike louder ICE vehicles, EVs are almost silent, making tire noise a potential annoyance. Hankook’s iON tires feature noise-reduction technologies to ensure a quieter ride.

The heavier weight of EVs, approximately 30% more than ICE cars, necessitates a stronger tread life. Hankook iON tires use a special tread made with a high amount of natural resin. This material not only provides better durability but also reduces friction, thereby improving efficiency.

Furthermore, the use of natural oils makes the tires more ecologically sustainable and enhances the tread’s durability, reducing the need for additional materials and making the tires lighter. This weight reduction lowers energy consumption and boosts overall efficiency and range.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Beyond natural materials, Hankook employs iON INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY to maximize tire performance. This process includes a unique tread structure design, optimized curing, a heat-minimizing tread pattern, and a combination compound that collectively reduce energy loss and rolling resistance.

The benefits of these technologies are quantifiable. Hankook’s internal testing reveals that iON evo AS tires provide 25% longer tread life, a 29% reduction in noise, and 20% improved driving stability compared to V-rated tires on conventional gas-powered cars. These findings are backed by TÜV SÜD, an independent certification organization in Germany, which rated these tires highest among four premium competitors for various performance metrics, including dry and wet braking, wet lateral grip, snow acceleration, and, crucially, rolling resistance.

Broad Compatibility

To ensure that all EV drivers can benefit from these enhancements, Hankook offers iON tires across seven product lines, catering to a variety of driving conditions and vehicle types:

• iON evo AS: All-season performance tire for passenger cars and SUVs.
• iON evo: Summer sport tire for passenger cars and SUVs.
• *iON icept**: Alpine winter studless tire for passenger cars and SUVs.
• iON FlexClimate: All-weather performance tire for passenger cars and SUVs.
• iON Nordic ice: Nordic winter studded tire for passenger cars and SUVs.
• iON GT: Summer touring tire for passenger cars and SUVs.
• iON ST AS: All-season touring tire for passenger cars and SUVs.

Hankook is continually expanding its iON lineup, planning to add 49 more sizes by the end of 2024, bringing the total to 259 sizes—sufficient to fit nearly every electric car, truck, and SUV in the United States.

Conclusion

When choosing an EV, range is often a critical factor. Traditionally, buyers had to accept the manufacturer-estimated range. However, with Hankook’s iON tires, drivers now have the power to extend their vehicle’s range, enhance tire lifespan, and enjoy a quieter and safer ride. Investing in a set of iON tires is an efficient and practical way to maximize your EV’s potential, making every mile count.

By upgrading to Hankook’s iON line, you’re not just getting new tires; you’re unlocking the true capability of your electric vehicle.