Update: ‘100,000+ E-GMP EVs sold’ and ‘Not the only dedicated EV platform’ sections added.
Hyundai Motor Group’s long-awaited electric car platform, the Hyundai E-GMP, was revealed in 2021 and has given the world three EVs already: Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60. With the E-GMP set to deliver at least a dozen electric vehicles from the three HMG brands eventually, including the Hyundai Ioniq 7, Kia EV9, and the Genesis GV90, let’s take a look at 6 lesser-known facts of this platform:
Ready for high-performance EVs
Electric is exciting, and at the Hyundai Motor Group, the E-GMP platform is set to raise the bar for performance across the entire line-up. The company went for a rear-wheel-drive drivetrain layout for this platform, keeping it ready for high-end performance EVs. The Hyundai E-GMP platform will spawn some of the most performance-focused Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis cars ever made in the coming years.
Speaking to CAR, Hyundai Motor Group’s former R&D chief Albert Biermann said that the company is working on “some more interesting, challenging high-performance applications” of the Hyundai E-GMP platform, and that is why it decided to have an RWD drivetrain layout. With an additional, front motor, it is possible to have AWD models.
In certain E-GMP models, Biermann said that Hyundai Motor Group will offer a system power of nearly 600 hp. The Kia EV6 GT is an example of what can be achieved when the platform is configured for performance. The car goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds and attains a top speed of 162 mph.
Safety of the electric drivetrain and components
Hyundai says that in the energy absorption zone, from the back beam to the subframe rear mounting, the vehicle body is built to deform to absorb shocks. However, in the lower support section, from the subframe mounting to the dashboard section, the impacts are minimized on the all-new PE (power electric) system, battery, and electric module by adopting a collision-avoidance structure. Further, ultra high strength steel is used in the high voltage zone where the batteries are located and hot-stamped steel protects the battery area.
Source: Hyundai Motor Group/Youtube
Air-conditioning unit moved outside the cabin to create space
To liberate more interior room, the ‘space consuming’ air conditioning unit is moved outside the car and is placed where the internal combustion engine would be, giving front passengers extra room. Further, the center tunnel at the rear (seen on conventional vehicles) is non-existent thanks to the low mounting point of the batteries. This will also allow various arrangements of the front and back seats for a variety of lifestyle applications, says Hyundai. It’s still possible to offer a frunk.
All E-GMPs use single type of standardized modules
All Hyundai E-GMP-based cars and SUVs will use a single type of standardized battery module which consists of pouch type of cells and the pack itself can be configured as per energy required for each model. This, the company says, has reduced the number of part types by 40 percent and the total number of parts by 60 percent.
58 kWh, 72.6 kWh, and 77.4 kWh are the battery pack options available in the current E-GMP platform-based EVs. Reports suggest that future models, including the Hyundai Ioniq 7, Kia EV9, and Genesis GV90, will be available with a 100 kWh battery pack option.
Advanced charging systems
Multi-charging system
The Hyundai E-GMP platform supports a ‘first-in-the-world’ multi-charging system which is patented by the company. The system can use old and new generation type fast chargers but can maintain 800V charging irrespective. It uses the vehicle’s driving motor with the charger to boost 400V to 800V and charge the battery, the company says. Customers can plug a 350 kW ultra-fast-charger into their EV and recharge to 80% SoC as quickly as 18 minutes.
Bi-Directional charging system
Thanks to bi-directional charging support, they can use EV as a mobile power source. It’s possible to run a mid-sized AC unit, a 55-inch TV, hi-fi speaker, and other equipment using the energy stored in the battery pack of the EV. Moreover, one can use that energy to charge another electric vehicle as well.
Wireless charging system
With E-GMP, HMG has rolled out a wireless charging system in its EVs. The Genesis GV60 is the first model to flaunt this feature, as part of a pilot program in South Korea. Customers have to simply park their EV on the floor of supporting parking lots, and their EV would charge up without the need to plug any cables.
Separate cooling structure to optimize efficiency
Part of the Hyundai E-GMP’s impressive 80 percent charge in 18 minutes comes thanks to the impressive cooling block structure installed on the drivetrain. Apart from enhancing safety during a coolant leak, it allows energy density to be increased by 10 percent. A new cooling type of coil on the PE system is integrated with the motor, and sprays lubricant directly from the EV transmission to the motor to reduce heat-induced losses, and thus further the range.
100,000+ E-GMP EVs sold
The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and the Genesis GV60 have accounted for a combined six-digit sales figure since April 2021, according to a statement released by Hyundai Motor Group on February 2, 2022. Between April to December 2021, 96,578 units of E-GMP-based cars were delivered to customers around the globe. Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis were off to a great start in 2022 as well, with combined sales of 4,000 units in the first three weeks of January 2022.
Sales will climb further as Hyundai and Kia have stated that they will launch 11 EVs based on the dedicated E-GMP platform across different segments like SUVs, sedans, and crossovers in the next few years.
Not the only dedicated EV platform
E-GMP won’t be the only dedicated EV platform from the Hyundai Motor Group. Speaking to Automotive News in December 2021, Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), said that the company is not considering only one platform, indicating that a second platform is already in the development phase. The second EV platform could spawn smaller applications, and cars that are less sophisticated. Models targeted at customers who would otherwise go for, say, a Renault 4 or a VW ID.2, could be developed on this base. More details about the EV-specific platform should emerge in the latter half of the year.
Featured image is a screenshot of the skateboard from Hyundai’s presentation.
A Mechanical Engineer by qualification, I started out as an automotive editor of a regional magazine in 2011. In my 11 years of experience in creating automotive content, I’ve traveled around the world to review, analyze and report on the world’s top electrified cars.
