A few years in the past, one of many outstanding issues a couple of saturated EV auto-scape was how carmakers would intensify model variations amongst autos converging on a daunting sameness. The vehicles would not make any noise, they might all emphasize aerodynamics, and they’d all principally journey on a battery pancake. Up to now, the fears have been prevented; a Volvo XC40 Recharge will not be confused for a Ford Mustang Mach-E, as an example, and the Ford will not be confused for a Tesla Mannequin Y. Not solely that, however automakers are growing platform methods that heighten the sameness amongst car architectures as a result of the structure is the place the expenditure and the revenue are best. Hyundai’s the most recent to stipulate its plans for buyers. And a part of Hyundai’s plan might embody including a full-size electrical pickup to the vary.
The mid- to long-term roadmap is known as the Hyundai Motor Means, just lately revised with increased targets because of the swift uptick in EV gross sales globally. Enterprise Korea wrote Hyundai Motor Group (HMG consists of Kia and Genesis) bought 510,000 battery-electric autos in 2022. The conglomerate says it now plans to promote two million EVs yearly by 2030, up from a earlier estimate of 1.87 million.
The platform that may assist make this doable is known as eM, an evolution of the present Electrical International Modular Platform (e-GMP) platform below HMG’s present EVs. The eM structure’s been rumored to launch below a Kia sedan that may be a religious successor to the Stinger. Up to now, eM is deliberate for 13 fashions throughout the HMG portfolio, utilizing the Built-in Modular Structure (IMA) that may plug-and-play with greater than 80 widespread modules serving totally different car segments and sizes. HMG president and CEO Jaehoon Chang mentioned, “Within the second-generation platform, the scope of car improvement extends past the mid-sized SUVs lined by the present E-GMP system. It encompasses practically all car courses, starting from small and huge SUVs to pickup vehicles, together with the flagship fashions of the Genesis model.”
Certain, Chang might have been merely noting the eM’s potential use instances when he talked about “pickup vehicles.” That is not how observers are studying the road. At Kia’s investor day final yr, the model mentioned it deliberate two electrical pickups. There have already been stories that Kia’s engaged on a body-on-frame pickup for the Australian market, maybe known as Tasman, using fuel and electrical powertrains. That may get HMG additional into the pickup recreation, however the Tasman’s not an eM car. It is thought Chang eyes coming into the EV pickup recreation with one thing extra substantial than the unibody, gas-powered Santa Cruz. If this finally ends up being the case, the Hyundai could have loads of firm within the section. The Ford F-150 Lightning is a body-on-frame electrical pickups, however the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Rivian R1T, and Telsa Cybertruck are nearer to unibodies with their skateboard chassis’, as are vehicles like the approaching GMC Hummer EV and Sierra EV, Ram 1500 Revolution, and Rivian R2T. We anticipate the Scout model going the identical method, and would not be shocked if Toyota’s electrical pickup does as properly.
There is a ton occurring past all that. Hyundai’s placing enormous cash into the ecosystems round its EVs and different modes of mobility, together with “future companies, reminiscent of autonomous driving, hydrogen, robotics and superior air mobility (AAM).” Researchers are wanting into totally different battery chemistries for various autos, a spread of battery kind elements, and “cutting-edge expertise that permits battery charging and discharging whereas driving, using an unbiased energy financial institution.” The Hyundai Xcient hydrogen fuel-cell Class 8 truck is starting a pilot mission on the Port of Oakland. A three way partnership known as Motional will start a robotaxi service in Las Vegas this yr utilizing autos primarily based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5. A variety of ground-up autonomous autos are deliberate to hit U.S. roads in 2027. The Supernal division is engaged on piloted air taxis in partnership with Microsoft and Rolls-Royce plane engines. And Boston Dynamics continues improvement of the “industrial inspection robotic Spot, intelligence logistics robotic Stretch and multi-purpose humanoid robotic Atlas.”
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