Youil Industry begins production of airless tires for EVs

Youil Industry, a tier-1 supplier of Kumho Tire, has begun the production of airless tires for electric vehicles (EV).

A company spokesperson said on Tuesday that it has recently started testing the tire with an EV company and has begun production.

Youil Industry is aiming to supply the tires to autonomous hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and EVs, they said.

Airless tires are comprised of tread, spoke and wheel.

As it doesn’t puncture, it is touted as suitable for autonomous EVs and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.

Michelin is collaborating with General Motors to apply airless tires in cars launching in 2024.

Youil Industry took part in government-backed projects to develop airless tires for tuning SUVs in 2017 and high safety airless tires for autonomous EVs in 2019.

Its customer Kumho Tire is in talks with South Korean automobile brands to supply airless tires.

Youil Industry is also collaborating with Sungkyunkwan University to develop airless tires for purpose-built vehicles.

A Kumho Tire spokesperson said it was close to finishing the development of an eco-friendly no inflation maintenance-free tire.