Hankook has unveiled the e-SMART City AU56, the industry’s first tyre designed specifically for urban electric buses used in public transport. The company highlights the tyre’s key features, including low rolling resistance, high load capacity, and excellent grip, all crucial for electric buses’ demanding everyday use.
For electric buses, tyres must meet several high standards. They must minimize rolling resistance to maximize the vehicle’s range on a single charge. Additionally, they must effectively transmit the high torque of electric motors to the road without premature wear. Furthermore, the tyres need to support the heavier weight of electric buses, primarily due to the battery. Lastly, especially in urban environments, tyres must be quiet to enhance passenger comfort.
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Hankook claims to have addressed all these requirements in the development of the e-SMART City AU56. The company utilized advanced technologies, including AI-assisted design, testing with digital twins, and 3D-printed tread patterns, to enhance the tyre’s performance and durability.
To withstand the mechanical stresses of city streets, the e-SMART City AU56 features specially reinforced sidewalls to protect against shocks and damage when maneuvering close to curbs and bus stops. The tyre’s sidewall is designed to be robust while meeting the demands of urban use. A new three-stage indicator on the sidewall makes wear visible at a glance, enhancing safety.
The tyre’s tread design includes S-shaped sipes between lateral and tangential tread blocks to improve block interlock, enhancing durability and grip needed for high torque. Three-dimensional zigzag lines within the tread blocks further contribute to grip. As the tread wears, hidden grooves and sipes are revealed, ensuring traction and wet grip throughout the tyre’s lifespan. Small, stepped blocks prevent stone trapping and ensure even wear, extending the tyre’s life.
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Guy Heywood, Vice President Marketing Strategy Truck and Bus at Hankook Tire Europe, expressed pride in the e-SMART City AU56, stating, “This tyre increases the efficiency of public transport and advances the transition to electromobility.” He emphasized the tyre’s durability, low wear rate, and suitability for regrooving and retreading, contributing to reduced resource consumption.
Initially available in size 275/70 R 22.5 for all axle positions, the e-SMART City AU56 carries the M+S marking and the snowflake symbol (3PMS), indicating its winter suitability. It also features a new pictogram—an electric bus on the sidewall—clearly identifying it as an E-Bus tyre.
