Hyundai and Kia claim 50 per cent more driving range from new electric-car platform

South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group says one of its upcoming electric-car platforms will deliver a 50 per cent increase in driving range compared to electric vehicles today.

In a media announcement this week, the Hyundai Motor Group – parent company of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis – detailed plans to launch two new electric-car platforms in 2025.

Internally named eM and eS, both platforms will be based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA) system for battery-electric cars, which standardises battery packs, electric motors and various chassis components across various models.

The two electric-car platforms are set to replace the company’s existing Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) which is currently used in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60.

According to the Hyundai Motor Group, the eM platform will underpin electric cars across all market segments from 2025 and “provide a 50 percent improvement in driving range on a single charge compared to current EVs (electric vehicles)”. 

The South Korean company did not clarify whether the comparison was against its own electric cars or those of its rivals, although the 50 per cent driving range increase could lead to Hyundai Motor Group’s models achieving more than 900km on a charge within three years.

As reported earlier this month, Hyundai claims its upcoming Ioniq 6 electric car can cover up to 614km on a single charge when fitted with a 77.4kWh battery pack, a single electric motor and 18-inch wheels.

By extracting an additional 50 per cent of driving range, the Hyundai Ioniq 6’s eventual successor could travel up to 921km between charges.

A successor to the Hyundai Motor Group’s lowest-range electric-car on the E-GMP platform – the 58kWh Hyundai Ioniq 5 dual-motor – could also offer more than 540km of driving range if its 362km claim is increased by 50 per cent.

The Hyundai Motor Group’s eM platform is slated to be the car-maker’s first dedicated electric-car architecture to feature ‘Level 3’ semi-autonomous driving technology. 

In addition to existing Level 2 driver-assistance systems (such as lane-keeping technology and radar cruise control), Hyundai’s ‘Highway Driving Pilot (HPD)’ Level 3 technology allows the car's driver to take their hands off the steering wheel in certain conditions, but they must remain available to take control at a moment's notice if required.

As previously reported, the Hyundai Motor Group’s new eS platform will be used for “purpose-built vehicles” – aimed at ride-sharing, delivery and other commercial buyers.

In March 2022, Hyundai announced its plans to launch 11 new electric models by 2030, consisting of six SUVs, a "new type model" and one light commercial vehicle – although it is unclear whether this will be a van or a ute.

Sister brand Kia plans to launch 11 electric cars by 2026 – including two utes – while luxury off-shoot Genesis has set a target of six battery-electric models before the end of the decade.