Hankook iON wins Auto Bild EV tyre test
Premium tires for electric vehicles impress when it comes to safety, rolling resistance and comfort
We all can feel proud! As a result of our common work, the Hankook iON evo has been rated “very good”. The premium tires designed specifically for electric vehicles have been rated the best in a test by Auto Bild, which compared three summer tires in size 245/45 R 19 102 Y. They tested whether peak performance and excellent safety properties were compatible with the lowest possible rolling resistance at maximum range. Auto Bild concluded that “when using Hankook’s iON evo products, which are specifically designed for electric vehicles, there is no need to choose between safety and driving pleasure, range and environment. They perform well balanced in each of these different requirements.”
In the new “Reifencheck” test format, the Auto Bild team carefully examined the required properties of tires for electric vehicles. EVs react differently to driving commands and dynamics than conventional combustion engines due to the immediately available torque and their higher dead weight. In a direct comparison, the premium tire iON evo was particularly convincing in the braking tests on dry and wet roads, topping the standings in both. The Hankook tire particularly impressed in the wet, taking the lead and bringing the test vehicle to a standstill almost four meters earlier than the runner-up. The iON evo also took the top spot on the podium when it came to handling on wet surfaces and, thanks to the “Hankook Sound Absorber™”, also had the lowest pass-by noise. Finally, the Hankook iON evo combines the outstanding safety-relevant qualities with a significantly lower rolling resistance of just 6.21 kg/t. This was the lowest in the test, almost 1.5 kg/t lower than the closest competitor. For comparison: a rolling resistance reduced by one kg/t increases the range by around four percent – in the specific Auto Bild test this translates to around 30 kilometers more driving distance.
With the development of the new iON tire family, Hankook is reacting to the mobility transition towards emission-free vehicles. The iON combines reduced rolling resistance, particularly low-noise rolling behavior and excellent driving dynamics qualities. When compared to conventional tires, this means more range per battery charge, maximum safety and a better driving experience for EV drivers.
“The Hankook iON is our tailor-made answer to the rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles and the associated need for suitable tyres,” said Klaus Krause, Head of the Hankook Europe Technical Centre (ETC). “The very good result in the Auto Bild test proves that with our products we offer drivers of electric vehicles a great advantage over conventional tyres.”