We know that electric vehicles are heavier than gas-engine ones. They require, among other things, tires specially designed to withstand the greater weight, not to mention more efficient compounds to reduce rolling resistance and thus promote range.

As often happens, new vehicle technology forces the arrival of other new technologies - including in the tire manufacturing sector.

Hankook has just presented a new tire by the name of iON HT, designed to handle the special requirements of electric pickup trucks. One example, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, which weighs an outlandish 8,500 lb.

The custom design of the iON HT takes into account the increased weight of the batteries and the durability needs of owners of these models. The tire inherits the XL load designation because, Hankook explains, it has a reinforced structure that allows it to support heavy loads without sacrificing comfort.

Hankook President for America Rob Williams says that "”electric pickup trucks and SUVs present new challenges. The iON HT was developed from the ground up to effectively meet these, embodying our vision for innovation in the electric vehicle tire universe.”

Hankook says its tire was developed with advanced friction and wear reduction technologies to improve the range of electric vehicles.

Here are some of the tire's key features, as described by Hankook:

The iON HT will be available in Canada starting in 2026, with a choice of sizes adapted for mass-market electric pickup trucks.