EV Users Urged to Choose Correct Tyres to Prevent "Aquaplaning"
Jakarta – South Korean tyre company Hankook Tire Sales Indonesia (HTSI) has urged electric vehicle users to exercise greater care in selecting tyres to ensure optimal performance, particularly when driving on slippery roads during the rainy season.
Electric vehicles are known to be relatively heavier than conventional vehicles. Consequently, EV drivers need to anticipate the risk of aquaplaning—a dangerous condition in which tyres lose direct contact with the road surface due to a water layer—by ensuring tyre conditions remain optimal.
Edo Rusyanto, coordinator of the Road Safety Action Network (Jarak Aman), explained in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday (1 March) that weather conditions and vehicle readiness are crucial aspects requiring greater attention.
Based on data from the Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas Polri) in 2025, 3,715 accidents occurred in rainy conditions, equivalent to 2.4 per cent of total incidents.
“Accidents in rainy conditions totalled 3,715 cases or 2.4 per cent of total incidents, whilst during cloudy or overcast conditions there were 2,878 cases or around 1.86 per cent,” Edo stated.
Based on this data, Edo added that an average of approximately 10 traffic accidents per day occur during rainy weather.
Similarly, Jarak Aman secretary-general Harso Kurniawan explained that aquaplaning risk could be prevented by reducing speed in rain and ensuring tyres are in good condition.
“To reduce aquaplaning risk, essentially tyres must not be worn bald so that water channels exist. Good tyre condition also enhances vehicle braking capability. Additionally, it is important to maintain safe distances and appropriate speeds when driving during the rainy season,” Harso said.
In response to these needs, Hankook Tire Sales Indonesia reminded EV users not to use tyres indiscriminately, but instead to select products suited to electric vehicle characteristics.
The company explained that Hankook iON was developed whilst considering electric vehicle characteristics and driver requirements. The tyre is equipped with “i Perfect Grip” technology for optimal grip when manoeuvring on wet roads and during aquaplaning conditions, and “i Sound Absorber” technology capable of reducing noise levels by up to 18 per cent.
Additionally, the “i Super Mileage” technology provides 15 per cent longer tyre life, whilst “i Extreme Lightness” is claimed to increase battery efficiency and electric vehicle performance.
Hankook iON is available in several types: iON EVO for high-performance electric vehicles, iON EVO AS for long-distance travel with stable performance, iON GT emphasising stability and using more environmentally friendly materials, and iON ST AS, also recommended for long-distance travel.