Hankook Tire & Technology Launches All-Season Tires for Electric Vehicles, 'No Need to Change Tires by Season'

*This content was translated by AI.

Demand for all-weather tires that can be used year-round without tire replacement continues to grow in the domestic automotive market. Globally recognized premium brands such as Michelin's "CrossClimate" series and Continental's "AllSeasonContact," which have long dominated this market, have secured the mandatory European winter tire certification mark "3PMSF." This ensures safety on snowy roads during winter while delivering balanced drainage performance and dry-road braking capability in summer, earning them high popularity among consumers. Analysts identify that these products successfully reduce the hassle of changing tires with seasonal shifts while meeting the durability and grip requirements for heavy-load vehicles like electric cars as key factors behind their success.

Aligning with this market trend, Hankook Tire & Technology officially launched its all-weather tire specifically designed for electric vehicles, "iON FlexClimate," in the domestic market starting July 13, marking its entry into the premium all-weather segment. This product was first introduced to the European market in 2023, underwent rigorous testing, and is now being brought to Korea as part of Hankook's dedicated electric vehicle tire lineup. Like competitors' products from Michelin and Continental, it has obtained "3PMSF" certification, ensuring balanced driving performance on snowy roads, high-temperature summer surfaces, and wet conditions alike.

Hankook Tire applied its EV-specific technology, "iON Innovative Technology," to the new product. Based on 3D Grip Cavity and high-density silica compound, it improves wet-road grip by 5% and cornering stiffness by approximately 20% compared to existing products without EV-specific technology. This enables stable support for the unique high load and initial strong torque of electric vehicles. Additionally, reduced rolling resistance technology enhances fuel efficiency, while sound-absorbing materials applied across all sizes reduce resonance noise by up to 6dB, strengthening quietness. The product's performance was validated when it ranked first overall in the 2026 all-weather tire test conducted by the German automotive magazine "Auto Bild."

The domestic launch includes eight tire sizes ranging from 18-inch to 20-inch for sedans and SUVs. Starting from the 13th, Hankook Tire initially released four key sizes (255/45R19, 235/55R19, 235/40R19, 215/55R18) designed for major EV models from global automakers. The remaining four sizes are scheduled to be added sequentially in October.

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*This content was translated by AI.