Hankook Tire & Technology's EV-dedicated all-weather tire iON FlexClimate [Hankook Tire & Technology]
Hankook Tire & Technology's EV-dedicated all-weather tire iON FlexClimate [Hankook Tire & Technology]

Hankook Tire & Technology announced Monday it is launching iON FlexClimate, an electric vehicle-dedicated all-weather tire, in the South Korean market.

iON FlexClimate is an all-weather tire under iON, the world's first full-lineup EV-dedicated tire brand. First introduced in Europe in 2023, the product is now making its domestic debut. It carries the 3PMSF certification — the mandatory European mark for winter tires — and is designed to deliver stable driving performance not only on snow but also in summer heat and wet conditions.

The company will roll out a total of eight sizes for sedans and SUVs, ranging from 18 to 20 inches, on a sequential basis. The initial launch covers four key sizes compatible with the flagship EV models of major global automakers: 255/45R19, 235/55R19, 235/40R19 and 215/55R18. Four additional sizes — 255/40R20, 255/45R20, 215/50R19 and 235/45R18 — are scheduled for release in October.

The tire incorporates iON Innovative Technology, Hankook Tire's proprietary EV-specific technology platform. The company said the product achieves a balanced realization of the four core performance attributes required for electric vehicles: low noise, low rolling resistance, superior grip and enhanced mileage.

The tread uses an EMC combining 3D grip sipes, high-density silica and eco-friendly new materials, securing strong traction and handling across varied road conditions including dry, wet and snowy surfaces. Compared with tires without EV-specific technology, the product improves wet-road grip by up to 5 percent and cornering stiffness by about 20 percent, enabling stable driving performance even under the high load and strong torque of electric vehicles.

In addition, optimized rolling resistance reduction technology and uniform contact pressure distribution design improve energy efficiency and mileage performance. The tire also reduces resonance noise by up to 6 decibels through sound-absorbing material applied across all sizes — a feature Hankook Tire said no other domestic tire brand offers across its full lineup.

iON FlexClimate topped the overall rankings in the "2026 All-Weather Tire Test" recently published by Auto Bild, Germany's most authoritative automotive magazine, outperforming leading global brands across key evaluation categories.

"We identified a clear need among EV customers to ensure winter safety in high-load, high-torque vehicles and to eliminate the hassle of seasonal tire changes as electric vehicles become more mainstream," said Lee Yong-gwan, head of Hankook Tire's Korea business division. "iON FlexClimate concentrates Hankook Tire's EV technology, and we expect it to meet market demand while further solidifying our leadership in the EV-dedicated tire segment."

Meanwhile, Hankook Tire is rapidly expanding its customer touchpoints in global markets, including participating as an official sponsor of the 2026 London to Brighton EV Rally, the United Kingdom's largest electric vehicle festival, held last month.


likehyo85@heraldcorp.com