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From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

Season 11 of Formula E, the world's first electric vehicle racing series, has begun. The season will be held over 16 rounds across 10 cities around the world and is more special than ever as the car is faster, stronger, and more powerful than ever before. The electric racing car Formula E GEN3 Evo goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.86 seconds, marking the beginning of the sub-2-second acceleration era with Hankook tires providing 5-10% more grip. What process did Hankook Tire, the exclusive supplier and official partner of Formula E, go through to develop the electric vehicle racing tires? How will the technology of electric vehicle-specific tires change the future?

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, February 14 & 15, 2025

The 2025 Jeddah E-Prix of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on February 14th and 15th. The lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit lit up the cars as the races took place at night.

  • From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

  • Night races feature a unique spectacle using the latest low-power LED devices powered by biofuel electricity.

The double-header event was held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit with 22 cars from 11 teams for competition raced around the 3.001km track. DS Penske driver Max Günther took victory in Round 3, while Nissan's Oliver Rowland marked his second victory of the season in Round 4, beating his competitors with excellent driving skills and strategy.

Hankook’s racing tire optimized for the new racing car, the ‘GEN3 Evo iON Race’, is also attracting attention. These tires are optimally designed for the new Formula E racing car, which boasts a top speed of 322 km/h and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 1.86 seconds, which is 30% faster than a current F1 car. The tires play a part in supporting the explosive speed of the vehicles and ensure a high-level performance in Championship. In addition, the ‘GEN3 Evo iON Race’ combines special engineering fiber materials and the natural rubber to maintain excellent heat resistance and stability, while applying sustainable raw materials and energy-saving technologies to contribute to expanding sustainability in the motorsports field.

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Formula E Tire Q&A for Motorsports Fans

Formula E is a new era of motorsport that requires completely different technologies and strategies from the conventional internal combustion engine-based racing. Among these, tires are a key element of racing performance and sustainability, and Hankook Tire is showcasing its innovative technologies as the official tire supplier of Formula E. We will find out how the ‘GEN3 Evo iON Race’ tire, which are equipped to the world’s fastest electric race car, was developed and what makes it different.

From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

Formula E GEN3 Evo, the next-generation electric racing car unveiled by Formula E and FIA

From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

1. How are Formula E tires different from F1 tires?

The differences between the two tires can be answered largely in two ways. While F1 has separate dry and wet tires, Formula E has one type of tire which is used in all-weather. Formula E tires are also made with sustainability in mind, including natural rubber and environmentally friendly materials, and are also highly recyclable after use.

2. Can Formula E tires be used on a regular electric vehicle?

Formula E tires are designed for racing purposes only, so they cannot be mounted directly on a regular electric vehicle. However, the technology used in Formula E is being applied to Hankook Tire's electric vehicle tire brand iON series. For example, Low Rolling/Resistance (LRR) and durability enhancement technologies developed for Formula E tires are being applied to the actual electric vehicle tires, contributing to improving the driving range and performance of electric vehicles.

From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

3. What is the most innovative technology in Formula E tires?

The GEN3 Evo iON Race Tire is designed to maximize the performance of high-powered electric race cars. Compared to the GEN3 car, the GEN3 Evo car has improved acceleration performance with an improved aerodynamic design. Along with a four-wheel drive system, tire grip and durability have become more important for increased performance. Hankook Tire's new tires feature a high-strength tread pattern and optimized rubber compounds to ensure excellent performance in all driving conditions.

In particular, the iON Race tire stands out by offering both excellent energy efficiency and durability. Formula E needs no tire change during the race like other motorsports. Since drivers have to keep using the same tires throughout the race, it is essential that they shouldn't wear out quickly but maintain performance consistently. To achieve this, Hankook Tire has maximized its low rolling resistance technology to increase the vehicle's fuel efficiency while simultaneously improving traction and cornering stability.

From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

4. How do Formula E tires perform on a city race track?

Some Formula E races take place on public roads in urban areas rather than traditional race circuits. City tracks usually have a mixture of asphalt and concrete surfaces, which can be much rougher and slippery than a traditional racing circuit. Hankook Tire's Formula E tires are designed to provide optimal grip and stability even in these environments. Also, with the characteristics of urban tracks with frequent rapid decelerations and sudden starts, tire durability and instantaneous grip are very important, and Hankook Tire applies special rubber compounds and tread patterns for this purpose.

So far, we have learned about the background and process of Hankook Tire developing tires for electric vehicles in Q&A. But there is another place where the performance of electric vehicle tires is truly put to the test. This is the electric car racing stage where extreme speeds and technological competition unfolds. What impact will this competition have on advancing electric vehicle technology? Here is an extract of an interview with the CEO of Formula E, Jeff Dodds.

‘Eco-Friendly is Hip’ Formula E, a car race for future generations

Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, told in an interview with Wired late last year:

“When we first started Formula E, the cars were 100 miles per hour slower than Formula 1 cars and the batteries only lasted half the race. Over the course of 10 seasons, electric cars have become faster, lighter and more powerful. The Formula E GEN3 Evo car has appeared, boasting a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 1.86 seconds which is 30% faster than the F1 machine. Most importantly, it can complete the race on a single charge. Electric car racing started out with zero fans, but now has hit 400 million fans. Internal combustion engines have been around for 130 years, but electric vehicles have only been around for 15 years. What will happen in 10 years? I have no doubt that electric vehicles will be the future of the planet.”

  • From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future
  • From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

  • The GEN3 Evo model is more environmentally friendly, with life cycle considerations throughout the car's production, reuse and recycling of battery cells, and the use of natural materials such as recycled carbon fiber and linen integrated into the chassis. Formula E is the world's first net-zero carbon-neutral sport, and continues its efforts to be environmentally friendly and minimize its carbon footprint.

From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

Opening race of the 2024/2025 Formula E season, December 7, 2024. The race, held at Anhembi Sambadrome (length 2.93 km, 35 laps = 102.55 km), was won by Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing. This is a race that showcases the performance of the latest racing car, GEN3 Evo, equipped with Hankook Tire's iON series, and people can look forward to Hankook Tire's performance in its 11th season. Photo courtesy of Jaguar TCS Racing

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Motorsports is the ultimate laboratory for testing tire performance in the extreme conditions. Especially in Formula E, tire performance heavily contributes to the success or failure of the race, as electric vehicles frequently experience instantaneous acceleration, energy recovery braking, and sharp cornering on track. Hankook Tire develops its products with the belief that ‘if a tire can withstand Formula E racing, it can withstand anywhere.’

Manufacturing these high-performance tires is an incredible challenge in itself, but on the other hand, the data and know-how accumulated during this process will give us an advantageous position to take the lead in cutting-edge technology as an electric vehicle mobility brand in the future. This suggests that Hankook Tire, the exclusive tire supplier for Formula E, will emerge as a ‘first mover’ leading the future era of electric vehicle mobility.

Hankook Tire aims to improve its tire performance while increasing LCA and sustainability. LCA stands for ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ which means converting the tire value chain into a sustainable circular loop. It takes into account everything from raw material procurement to tire production and even recycling of the tires back into raw materials after disposal. Eco-friendliness and sustainability are important values to the FIA as well as the social responsibility that Hankook Tire considers most important. This is where Hankook Tire's advanced technology shines, as it does not compromise on high performance while being environmentally conscious. Hankook Tire which emphasizes that 'there is no future without sustainability' will achieve the eco-friendly innovation across the tire industry based on its experience in Formula E.

Meanwhile, Hankook Tire has acquired the ‘FIA Three Star Environmental Accreditation,’ the highest level of eco-friendliness and sustainability certification granted by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). FIA Environmental Certification is a certification program designed to promote a sustainable future in motorsport and mobility. It evaluates environmental improvement effects, energy consumption reduction, logistics efficiency improvement, waste management optimization, and implementation of carbon neutrality programs. As the exclusive tire supplier and official sponsor of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship electric vehicle racing series, Hankook Tire has been recognized for its active participation in sustainability initiatives, including climate change.

From Track to Tomorrow: How Formula E and Tire Innovation Are Shaping the Future

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