Hankook Unveils First Tyre Designed for All-Electric City Buses

Neu-Isenburg, Germany – 5 June 2024: Hankook has introduced the e-SMART City AU56, a pioneering tyre developed specifically for electric city buses. Debuted at The Tire Cologne 2024, this innovative tyre is designed to meet the unique demands of electric public transport, offering enhanced efficiency, safety, and durability.

Optimised for Electric Buses

The e-SMART City AU56 is Hankook’s first tyre tailored for electric city buses, boasting features such as low rolling resistance, high load capacity, and exceptional grip. This ensures a longer range per battery charge while efficiently managing the high torque generated by electric motors. The tyre is also optimised for a higher weight rating, accommodating the heavy batteries of electric buses.

Guy Heywood, Vice President of Marketing Strategy for Truck and Bus at Hankook Tire Europe, highlighted the significance of this development: “We’re very proud to present our first product developed specifically for all-electric city buses with the e-SMART City AU56. This tyre increases the efficiency of public transport and advances the transition to electromobility. Its low wear rate enables long-term use, thus reducing costs. High-strength materials and innovative design ensure durability even under extreme load conditions. Its structure also makes it ideal for regrooving and retreading, which contributes to reducing resource consumption.”

Meeting Rigorous Requirements

Tyres for electric buses must withstand high day-to-day demands, including low rolling resistance for maximum range and safe torque transfer without excessive abrasion. The e-SMART City AU56 is engineered to handle the significant weight of electric buses and to operate quietly, enhancing passenger comfort in urban environments.

To address these needs, the tyre features reinforced sidewalls to protect against impacts and damage from curbs and bus stops. It also incorporates a three-stage indicator to easily monitor sidewall wear, ensuring ongoing safety and performance.

Advanced Technologies for Superior Performance

The e-SMART City AU56 incorporates cutting-edge technologies, including AI-assisted design, digital twin testing, and 3D-printed tread patterns. These innovations enhance durability and grip, crucial for electric vehicles’ high torque. S-shaped sipes and three-dimensional zig-zag lines within the tread blocks improve interlocking and extend the tyre’s lifespan. Concealed grooves and sipes exposed as the tread wears down ensure continuous safety and traction on wet surfaces. Step-shaped blocks prevent stone trapping, further prolonging the tyre’s life.

Award-Winning Design

The e-SMART City AU56’s advanced design and functionality have earned it the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2024. This recognition underscores Hankook Tire’s leadership in the electric vehicle tyre market. The tyre will initially be available in the popular size 275/70 R 22.5 and is suitable for all axle positions. It carries both the M+S label and the 3PMSF snowflake symbol, confirming its winter suitability. A new pictogram on the sidewall, depicting an electric bus, clearly identifies it as a specialised electric bus tyre.

With the introduction of the e-SMART City AU56, Hankook is setting a new standard for electric bus tyres, contributing significantly to the advancement of sustainable public transport.

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