Korean vehicle maker Hyundai Motor Group has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Michelin to develop next-generation tyres optimised for premium electric vehicles (EVs).
Under the partnership, over the next three years, the Group and Michelin will jointly develop eco-friendly tyres with increased use of eco-friendly materials and tyres optimised for next-generation EVs and a real-time tyre monitoring system aiding advance autonomous driving technology.
Next-generation tyres resulting from the collaboration will find their way onto future premium EV models of Hyundai Motor Group, a press release from the company said.
It added that this new tyre technology is critical to meet the durability requirements of tyres, driving performance, and electric efficiency under high load as the driving range of EVs continues to increase.
Moreover, the new tyres are also expected to significantly improve drivers’ ride comfort by reducing vibration and noise generated by EVs at high speeds, the company said.
Besides, both companies plan to conduct joint research to analyse tyre wear, load and road friction beyond the current standards of tyre temperature and air pressure, the release said.
They aim to explore ways to increase the use of eco-friendly materials in tyres to about 50% of the total tyre weight from 20% currently. The agreement is a follow-up to the first five-year partnership signed in November 2017 to jointly develop an exclusive tyre for IONIQ 5 and carry out experiments and analysis methods related to tyres as well as technology exchange.
The signing ceremony took place at the Group’s Namyang Research Center on June 17 and was attended by Bong-soo Kim, Vice President and Head of Chassis Development Center, Hyundai Motor Group and Georges Levy, Executive Vice President of Automotive Original Equipment, Michelin.
Kim said, “By fully leveraging our mobility technology and Michelin’s tyre expertise, we are confident in our ability to achieve ground-breaking innovations in tyre performance enhancement and create synergies in this organic collaboration.”
Levy said, “The association between Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin is founded on the same vision and on a shared passion for excellence, performance and innovation that have become increasingly essential factors as we rise to the mobility-related challenges we all face today.”