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Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP EV platform. (provided by Hyundai Motor Group)

The Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled E-GMP, a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform that allows a car to charge 80% of its battery capacity in 18 minutes.

On Dec. 2, the Hyundai Motor Group held an online presentation to introduce the technology behind the platform. E-GMP is set to play a foundational role for EVs including Hyundai’s Ioniq series, which is set to launch in the first half of next year, as well as Kia’s CV project. In contrast with an internal combustion-based platform, E-GMP does not require engine room, with the battery placed at the base of the chassis. Internal space can also be widened as the weight is distributed forward and backward. The EV platform race has been heating up this year, with the German automaker Volkswagen presenting its ID.3 EV using the MEB platform.

One feature of the E-GMP platform is the application of an 800V charging system to reduce charging time. The Hyundai Motor Group said it had developed the world’s first multi-charging system that allows for both 400V and 800V charging without additional equipment. Most current EVs, including Tesla’s, are 400V models. Increasing the voltage speeds up the charging up, but also raises the possibility of overheating.

Hyundai explained that vehicles with the E-GMP platform can be rapidly charged up to 80% within 18 minutes at a voltage of 800V. Drivers would be able to travel around 100km on a five-minute charge. This figure puts it roughly on par with Tesla, which is seen as having the fastest charging speed to date. Tesla has said that a five-minute charge for its Long Range Model 3 using its V3 Supercharger allows for up to 120km of travel.

It remains uncertain whether this performance is something drivers will be able to experience at a tangible level amid the current lack of infrastructure for high-speed charging. At present, the only station in South Korea with 800V capacity is the 350kW station at the Hyundai Motorstudio in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Hyundai plans to build a total of 20 high-speed charging stations through next year — 12 on expressways and eight in urban locations. Each station is to have six chargers. Jung Jin-hwan, director of electrification development for Hyundai, said the company “plans to expand availability as it observes the market.”

By Lee Jae-yeon, staff reporter

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