Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled its new electric-global modular platform (E-GMP), a dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform.

The platform will serve as the core technology for Hyundai Motor Group’s next-generation BEV line-up.

From 2021, the E-GMP will underpin a range of dedicated new BEVs, including Hyundai Motor Company’s IONIQ 5; Kia Motors Corporation’s first dedicated BEV to be revealed in 2021; and a series of other models.

Albert Biermann, president and head of the research and development division at Hyundai Motor Group, said: “Today our front-wheel driven Hyundai and Kia BEVs are already among the most efficient ones in their segments.

“With our rear-wheel driven based E-GMP, we are extending our technological leadership into segments where customers demand excellent driving dynamics and outstanding efficiency.”

Most existing EVs and the fast-charging infrastructure provide 50kW~150kW charging for EVs equipped with a 400V system; however, the development of 800V infrastructure, with up to 350kW charging, will gradually enable even more fast-charging.

In line with this trend, Hyundai Motor Group has invested in IONITY, Europe’s leading high-power charging network, as a strategic partner and shareholder.

IONITY operates 308 high-power charging (HPC) stations – using a charging capacity of up to 350 kW – along highways in European countries.

The company plans to increase this number to 400 HPC stations by 2022, including 51 currently under construction.

E-GMP offers 800V charging capability as standard and enables 400V charging, without the need for additional components or adapters.

The multi-charging system is a world’s first patented technology which operates the motor and the inverter to boost 400V to 800V for stable charging compatibility.

A BEV based on E-GMP is capable of a maximum range of over 500km with a fully charged battery, according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light-duty vehicle Procedure (WLTP).

Moreover, it can high-speed charge up to 80 percent in just 18 minutes and can add up to 100km of driving range in just five minutes.

Unlike previous BEVs, which only accept one-way charging, the E-GMP’s charging system is more flexible.

The E-GMP’s newly developed Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) represents an upgrade from existing On-Board Chargers (OBC), which typically only allow electricity to flow in a single direction from an external power source.

The ICCU enables a new vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which can additionally discharge energy from the vehicle battery without additional components.

This enables BEV based on the E-GMP to operate other electric machinery (110 / 220V) anywhere.

The system can even be used to charge another EV.

The new V2L function can supply up to 3.5kW of power and operate a mid-sized air conditioner unit and a 55-inch television for up to 24 hours.