Hyundai Motor, Kia to research EV energy with three universities

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. will form a research ecosystem for sustainable electric vehicle (EV) energy with Seoul National University, Chung-Ang University and Hongik University.

Both companies on Thursday said they held an event on the day before with the three schools to mark the launch of a joint research lab for EV energy management at SNU's Faculty Club.

The lab will have research groups for electric powertrains and thermal energy and an analysis group for energy flow, each of which will develop technologies for EV energy analysis and new batteries and share research infrastructure. In addition, the lab will boost expertise and develop specialized talent by studying a single topic based on major field.

Hyundai Motor and Kia are also providing support through high-performance research facilities and vehicle testing costs, as well as recruiting talented researchers for the lab.

"Industry and academia will work together to develop super-gap technologies and achieve the highest standard of energy efficiency," said Park Jung-kook, president and head of the R&D Division of Hyundai Motor and Kia.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com