Hankook Tire says it is expanding its original equipment business for the supply of tyres for electric vehicles to include the ID.4, Volkswagen’s first e-SUV.
To meet the requirements of this drive technology, the ID.4 will be equipped with the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev tyre developed specifically for electric cars. Depending on the equipment variant, the size range from 18- to 21 Inch are partly equipped with Hankook SEALGUARD puncture protection technology.
“The prototypes of various electric vehicles from VW were already running on Hankook tyres. We are pleased to be able to further expand and support the portfolio of alternative drive systems with the ID.4 tyres together with our long-standing global original equipment partner Volkswagen,” says Jeongho Park, Executive Vice President and Director of OE Division. “With this, we want to make an additional, important contribution to sustainable mobility.”
Reduced rolling resistance, lower weight and higher load-bearing capacity: characteristics that are of particular importance for electric vehicle tyres, in order to support battery performance and the vehicle’s range, while at the same time supporting the concept-related higher vehicle weight. To meet these special requirements, Hankook engineers have equipped the EV tyre Ventus S1 evo 3 ev with a double-layer carcass made of a specially developed high-performance fibre.
The company claims it offers very high stability with a low tare weight relative to its size. Also important is the tread compound of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev, which – for better grip in wet and dry conditions – has been adapted to the needs of very high drive torque deploying electric vehicles, while optimizing rolling resistance at the same time. In the 20-inch dimensions, an additional steel-based reinforcement is also used in the bead area due to the reduced sidewall height, which contributes to further increased sidewall stiffness. In addition to a precise fit of the tire on the rim, this also ensures particularly sporty, direct steering response.
The Hankook SEALGUARD sealing technology applied in the Hankook 19-, 20- and 21-inch dimensions for the VW ID.4 automatically seals punctures up to 5mm in diameter within the tyre’s tread area. SEALGUARD offers the advantage that even in the unlikely event of a nail puncture, for example, a trip can be continued without any problems and the tyre does not need changing. Therefore, a spare wheel no longer needs to be carried in SEALGUARD-equipped vehicles, providing additional space in the boot, saving weight, and eliminating the need for a potentially dangerous wheel change at the roadside.