Hyundai-Kia Motors have set its goal of increasing its eco-friendly vehicles to 38 cars by 2025. Therefore, the company will develop a platform dedicated to electric cars and co-develop next-generation batteries with domestic companies.

According to Hyundai Motor`s research and development headquarters on December 13, the global eco-friendly car market will be 16.27 million units in 2025, seven times more than 2016. HYUNDAI • Kia Motors has decided to expand its eco-friendly car line, currently 13, to 38 types by 2025. It plans to increase the number of models mainly for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and electric car (EV) rather than hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

Especially, Hyundai and Kia Motors will focus on electric cars. We are launching new electric models every year, and currently we are aiming to become the world`s third only in the electric car market by expanding the two electric vehicles to 14 by 2025. Next year, we expect to reach the 5th place in the world electric car market by launching three kinds of electric cars such as Kona, Niro and Soul. The company plans to develop a platform for electric cars by 2020, and to launch a high-performance long-distance electric car with a mileage of more than 500 km focusing on the Genesis line since 2020.

The battery, which is a core part of the electric vehicle, is in the direction of collaborating with domestic companies rather than developing itself. Developing and producing a direct battery is a less prosperous business, and it is a combination of having battery technology alone. Lee Ki-sung, managing director of R & D Division, said, "It is still a good idea to collaborate with a battery company." I think we should have a function for battery development because we cannot miss the flow.

The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) will release one vehicle in the first half of next year. The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group has unrivaled technological capabilities in the FCEV segment, but has not released plans to expand hydrogen vehicles due to a lack of charging infrastructure. The company plans to cope with the market by securing flexibility as electric cars and hydrogen cars are not antagonistic but complementary. Lee said, "The hydrogen car has a lot of troubles in fact," he said. "We are planning to put the next generation fuel cell vehicle in the domestic market next year, but there are few commercial hydrogen filling stations." "So, in order to spread the car, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Tourism is expecting a policy that includes a combined charging facility and a rest stop charging station announced this year."


By Choi Yong Soon cys@


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