Hyundai and Michelin have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop next-generation tires optimized for EVs. The agreement is a follow-up to a five-year partnership the companies formed in 2017 to jointly develop an exclusive tire for Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and to carry out experiments related to tires.

Over the next three years, the companies will jointly develop “eco-friendly tires with increased use of eco-friendly materials; tires optimized for next-generation EVs; and a real-time tire monitoring system which will help advance autonomous driving technology.”

Hyundai says the new tire technology is “critical to meet the durability requirements of tires, as well as driving performance and electric efficiency under high load as the driving range of EVs continues to increase.”

The new tires are expected to improve drivers’ ride comfort by reducing vibration and noise generated by EVs at high speeds.

They companies will also explore ways to increase the use of “eco-friendly materials” in tires from the current 20 percent to about 50 percent of total tire weight.

“By fully leveraging our mobility technology and Michelin’s tire expertise, we are confident in our ability to achieve ground-breaking innovations in tire performance enhancement and create synergies in this organic collaboration,” said Hyundai Motor Group VP Bong-soo Kim.

“The collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin over the past five years contributed to the successful launch of the Hyundai IONIQ 5,” said Michelin Executive VP Georges Levy. “We are pleased to announce that the relationship has been extended for three more years to continue our work together on new technologies in favor of safer, cleaner mobility.”

Source: Electrek