Toyota’s first all-electric vehicle, the bZ4X (ex-works), will come equipped with Hankook Tire Ventus S1 evo 3 ev tires in the Chinese market. Hankook has been supplying the tires in a size 235/60R18 and a size 235/50R20 since June 2022.
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 ev has been designed to deliver a reduction in rolling resistance – 13% less than the normal model – for enhanced fuel efficiency. This is achieved though vulcanization process optimization which was applied during the tire’s compound development.
In addition to lowering the rolling resistance of the EV tire, Hankook also developed the tread compound to ensure it can deal with the instantaneous and high torques of EVs. The Ventus S1 evo 3 ev benefits from a double-layer carcass made using a high-performance fiber in addition to bead-packing technology. This results in the tire delivering a high level of stability with a low tare weight relative to its size. Furthermore, Hankook engineers also re-designed the inner construction of the tire’s shoulder areas to enhance traction when a vehicle begins to move.
With no internal combustion engine to cover tire noise inside EVs, Hankook has also developed the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev to reduce tire noise by approximately 3db.
“Having previously been chosen as the OE provider for Toyota’s 2018 Camry and 2020 Corolla, we are thrilled to forge ahead on our valued partnership with Toyota for the company’s first all-electric vehicle in China,” said Heon-joon Kim, vice president and director of Global OE Innovation Headquarters at Hankook Tire.
“While electric cars look similar to internal combustion engine cars, they have some unique characteristics such as the extra weight of batteries, instant high torque from electric motors, and absence of noise from the engine. That’s why they need optimized tires to meet these requirements, and we are proud to have established a good position in EV tire segment.”
