Hyundai Motor Group is making a long-term wager on vitality applied sciences past the standard lithium-ion battery, with its govt chair signalling that each solid-state batteries and hydrogen gasoline cells will outline the corporate’s roadmap for many years to come back.
Euisun Chung, talking on its electrification ambitions in a recorded interview with Automotive Information, made it clear the corporate intends to remain forward in EV growth.
“We’re a part of the main group of the EV gross sales and automobiles. That’s why I’m so happy with our R&D individuals and that we’ve a e-GMP platform, and now we’re specializing in the strong state battery.”
Hyundai’s e-GMP structure already underpins fashions just like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60, giving the group one of the crucial 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 vitality density, quicker charging, and improved security.
Mr Chung went additional, stressing that hydrogen can even play a key position — not just for automobiles, however for heavy transport and transport the place battery tech struggles.
“So future EV and hydrogen is essential for our subsequent technology. Perhaps subsequent technology. I don’t know, possibly my granddaughter is right here or not, however she’s one and a half years outdated, and after possibly 50 years, they may take pleasure in possibly a hybrid of EV and gasoline cell EV!” he mentioned.
“After all, tram, prepare, massive ship and boat is transferring by hydrogen and vehicles.”
Hyundai has been one of many few world carmakers to proceed pursuing hydrogen alongside battery EVs, with its Nexo SUV and hydrogen-powered vehicles already in restricted markets. Mr Chung acknowledged the challenges, significantly the fee.
“After all, it takes plenty of price and excessive price and till now, hydrogen may be very costly, however we are attempting to decreasing a value with a hydrogen council,” he mentioned.
“And even in Korea, we’re getting hydrogen from waste meals and likewise in [nuclear power plants] there are lots of locations we are able to get hydrogen, so [we are] decreasing prices – then sometime, possibly after 30 years, possibly we are able to use hydrogen gasoline cells simply.”
That timeframe displays Hyundai’s lengthy view: whereas batteries dominate at present, hydrogen might be decisive for future infrastructure, significantly in Asia and Europe, the place governments proceed to fund hydrogen ecosystems.
Hyundai has dedicated to growing next-generation gasoline cell programs for commercial-exclusive functions.
Mr Chung’s feedback underscore Hyundai’s place as one of many few automakers concurrently betting on battery-electric, hydrogen gasoline cell, and hybrid options — a hedge that would assist the model climate future shifts in expertise and regulation.
