Hankook presents tires for E-SUV and light commercial vehicles

The South Korean tire manufacturer Hankook Tire has expanded its iON product family for electric vehicles with an additional model. The iON HT is a tire specially developed for light commercial vehicles and large SUVs.

The company’s designation for the tire, ‘HT’, stands for “Highway-Terrain.” With its low rolling resistance, the new tire is optimised for the lowest possible energy consumption on the freeway, and offers “exceptional driving comfort” and improved durability thanks to its strength and stability.

The new all-season tire has an ‘XL’ load capacity rating and, according to Hankook, should therefore help to ensure that light electric commercial vehicles can carry additional loads “in normal use.” The South Korean tire maker is addressing the additional weight of batteries on larger electric vehicles.

The issue of heavy vehicles has been identified as causing particulate matter pollution, most especially with large vehicles in inner city spaces. While the company’s more durable tires may possibly limit this particulate matter somewhat, studies show that heavy vehicles active in stop-and-go city traffic are major contributors to air pollution levels. The company says that even the heavy batteries of E-SUVs pose no problem for these new tires.

“Electric vehicles, especially in the emerging light truck and large SUV categories, bring new challenges and place unique demands on their tires,” said Rob Williams, President of Hankook Tire America Corp. “The iON HT was designed from the ground up for exceptional electric vehicle performance and perfectly embodies the kind of innovation our iON line represents to the industry.” Hankook presented the iON HT at the Electrify Expo 2025 in Los Angeles, which is why the US manager has his say in the press release.

The company launched the iON series in 2022. The iON tires are designed for reduced rolling resistance and low-noise rolling behaviour, and for the high torques of electric cars. The company offers summer, winter and all-season tires in sizes between 18 and 22 inches. The new iON HT will be available in these sizes with speed indices of T or H from August.

Hankook specialises in tires for electric vehicles, with experience ranging from city buses to racing cars, and now commercial vehicles and large personal vehicles.

hankooktire.com