Hyundai Motor Group is making a long-term guess on power applied sciences past the normal lithium-ion battery, with its govt chair signalling that each solid-state batteries and hydrogen gas cells will outline the corporate’s roadmap for many years to return.
Euisun Chung, talking on its electrification ambitions in a recorded interview with Automotive Informationmade it clear the corporate intends to remain forward in EV improvement.
“We’re a part of the main group of the EV gross sales and automobiles. That’s why I’m so pleased with our R&D folks and that now we have a e-GMP platform, and now we’re specializing in the stable state battery.”
Hyundai’s e-GMP structure already underpins fashions just like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Ev6 and Genesis GV60giving the group one of the aggressive EV ranges globally.
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However whereas present fashions depend on lithium-ion chemistry, the corporate is investing closely in solid-state battery analysis, which guarantees larger power density, sooner charging, and improved security.
Mr Chung went additional, stressing that hydrogen can even play a key function — not just for automobiles, however for heavy transport and delivery the place battery tech struggles.
“So future EV and hydrogen is essential for our subsequent era. Possibly subsequent era. I don’t know, possibly my granddaughter is right here or not, however she’s one and a half years outdated, and after possibly 50 years, they are going to get pleasure from possibly a hybrid of EV and gas cell EV!” he mentioned.
“In fact, tram, practice, huge ship and boat is transferring by hydrogen and vans.”
Hyundai has been one of many few international carmakers to proceed pursuing hydrogen alongside battery EVs, with its Nexo SUV and hydrogen-powered vans already in restricted markets. Mr Chung acknowledged the challenges, notably the associated fee.
“In fact, it takes a variety of price and excessive price and till now, hydrogen may be very costly, however we are attempting to reducing a worth with a hydrogen council,” he mentioned.
“And even in Korea, we’re getting hydrogen from waste meals and likewise in (nuclear energy crops) there are numerous locations we will get hydrogen, so (we’re) reducing prices – then sometime, possibly after 30 years, possibly we will use hydrogen gas cells simply.”
That timeframe displays Hyundai’s lengthy view: whereas batteries dominate at present, hydrogen might be decisive for future infrastructure, notably in Asia and Europe, the place governments proceed to fund hydrogen ecosystems.
Hyundai has dedicated to growing next-generation gas cell programs for commercial-exclusive purposes.
Mr Chung’s feedback underscore Hyundai’s place as one of many few automakers concurrently betting on battery-electric, hydrogen gas cell, and hybrid options — a hedge that would assist the model climate future shifts in expertise and regulation.
