By Kim Tae-gyu
Whenever something moves, it faces resistance whether it is in the air, on the ground or in water. As far as the automobile is concerned, a unique drag called rolling resistance takes place when tires roll.
The world has competed to reduce rolling resistance, which is directly related to improving energy efficiency and cutting down on harmful exhaust gases at the same time.
Against this backdrop, Korean business bellwether Hankook Tire came up with low rolling-friction products branded as Enfren Eco this year, which the Seoul-based outfit thinks will become a big hit.
"Enfren Eco holds an A rating in fuel efficiency out of five scales. Still, its rating is as good as B in wet grip, which has a negative correlation with the former,'' a Hankook Tire spokesman said.
"This is the best combination available as of now and we are striving to extend our market through eco-friendly products."
As he pointed out, there exists a tradeoff between wet grip and fuel efficiency. If a tire's tread pattern is designed to improve wet traction, it is supposed to create bigger tire-to-road friction, which means poor fuel economy.
Subsequently, it has been a great challenge to make a tire that scores an A rating for the two features ― the best one available holds A for fuel efficiency and B for wet grip like Enfren Eco.
The ratings gain significance locally and globally. Starting this month, European countries mandated tire vendors to report energy efficiency of their products to purchasers.
The same regulations will be initiated in Asia's fourth-largest economy beginning in this December.
"Up until now, motorists have been unable to get the information whether or not the tires on sale are fuel-efficient. But the introduction of new rules will bring about a big change,'' the spokesman said.
"People will take the performance of tires into consideration before they make any decisions. Hence, an increasing number of customers will snap up eco-friendly tires."
Hankook Tire argues that energy-saving tires like Enfren Eco provide a win-win solution for everybody involved.
Under its calculation, drivers of a mid-sized passenger car with an annual mileage of 20,000 kilometers can save more than 250,000 won every year on average if they replace their current D-rated tires with A-rated Enfren Eco ones, with gas prices presumed to be 2,000 won a liter. In addition, upside of 300 kilograms of carbon dioxide would be reduced per annum thanks to the high-mileage tires, according to Hankook Tire.
"Over the past 71 years, Hankook could remain ahead of pack on the domestic market based on efforts to cater to the specific needs of end users and innovations,'' the spokesman said.
"Based on such initiatives, we have grown into a top-tier player not only on the local market but also globally. Our current goal is to enable drivers to select the best tires, which are in line with their driving habits, needs and taste."
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| Hankook Tire's Enfren Eco |
The world has competed to reduce rolling resistance, which is directly related to improving energy efficiency and cutting down on harmful exhaust gases at the same time.
Against this backdrop, Korean business bellwether Hankook Tire came up with low rolling-friction products branded as Enfren Eco this year, which the Seoul-based outfit thinks will become a big hit.
"Enfren Eco holds an A rating in fuel efficiency out of five scales. Still, its rating is as good as B in wet grip, which has a negative correlation with the former,'' a Hankook Tire spokesman said.
"This is the best combination available as of now and we are striving to extend our market through eco-friendly products."
As he pointed out, there exists a tradeoff between wet grip and fuel efficiency. If a tire's tread pattern is designed to improve wet traction, it is supposed to create bigger tire-to-road friction, which means poor fuel economy.
Subsequently, it has been a great challenge to make a tire that scores an A rating for the two features ― the best one available holds A for fuel efficiency and B for wet grip like Enfren Eco.
The ratings gain significance locally and globally. Starting this month, European countries mandated tire vendors to report energy efficiency of their products to purchasers.
The same regulations will be initiated in Asia's fourth-largest economy beginning in this December.
"Up until now, motorists have been unable to get the information whether or not the tires on sale are fuel-efficient. But the introduction of new rules will bring about a big change,'' the spokesman said.
"People will take the performance of tires into consideration before they make any decisions. Hence, an increasing number of customers will snap up eco-friendly tires."
Hankook Tire argues that energy-saving tires like Enfren Eco provide a win-win solution for everybody involved.
Under its calculation, drivers of a mid-sized passenger car with an annual mileage of 20,000 kilometers can save more than 250,000 won every year on average if they replace their current D-rated tires with A-rated Enfren Eco ones, with gas prices presumed to be 2,000 won a liter. In addition, upside of 300 kilograms of carbon dioxide would be reduced per annum thanks to the high-mileage tires, according to Hankook Tire.
"Over the past 71 years, Hankook could remain ahead of pack on the domestic market based on efforts to cater to the specific needs of end users and innovations,'' the spokesman said.
"Based on such initiatives, we have grown into a top-tier player not only on the local market but also globally. Our current goal is to enable drivers to select the best tires, which are in line with their driving habits, needs and taste."
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