How Hankook's iON Tyres Keep Formula E On Track

Hankook’s iON tyres are designed to meet performance specifications in EVs and account for the myriad of other ways EVs differ from ICE cars. 

EVs need specialised tyres because they are often heavier than ICE vehicles. The tyres must be stiff so that they can bear the weight of the cars.

Formula E’s Gen3EVO cars need tyres that are specifically designed to handle certain conditions, hold the weight of the car and be sustainable as Formula E has a ‘no tire change’ policy, meaning the tyres must last the entire race.

Why EVs need specialised tyres

EVs contain heavy batteries, which can increase the weight of the car by up to 30%, according to Hankook. As EVs feature high instant torque, a high level of grip is needed for rapid acceleration and braking. EVs tend to have long charging times too, so EV tyres need low rolling resistance to reduce energy loss. 

Hankook’s iON tyres, developed exclusively for EVs, aim to mitigate these things with the technology it has developed to absorb sound as well as offering mileage, grip and being extremely lightweight. 

Hankook’s Grip Boost Technology increases cornering stiffness to improve EVs handling performance.

Why Formula E cars need specialised tyres

Formula 1 cars weigh roughly 702kg, including the driver, compared to Formula E cars which weigh 898 kg. 

Hankook's Research Institute Formula E Tyre Development Project Team Member, Su-jin Jang, said: "The conditions presented are very specific and demanding in Formula E.

"Therefore, it was an important task to overcome the trade-off between tyre performance and develop a tyre that is as balanced as possible to achieve the so-called 'magic triangle' without leaning on either side. Simply, the development was very similar to the development of the EV tyre development."

Now in its fourth and final season as Formula E’s exclusive tire supplier and official technology partner, Hankook is equipping all teams with the GEN3 Evo iON Race tire.

Using sustainable materials 

Hankook’s iON GT tyres are made exclusively for EVs to support the cars with the difference in specs when compared to ICE vehicle tyres. They are also made with 77% sustainable materials. Sustainability is also the key goal of Formula E.

Speaking in 2023, Min-young Yoon, a team member of Hankook's Research Institute Formula E Tyre Development Project, said "The goal of Formula E is sustainability.

"That's why there is no tire change during the race. To be precise, only two sets of tyres are allowed per race from the shakedown session to qualifying and the final race.

"Therefore, it was an important condition to be able to advance through the entire race course with one set of tyres. From the tire manufacturer's point of view, it was a new challenge that was completely different from developing a standard race tyre."