Hyundai Motor's battery electric vehicle (BEV) 'Kona Electric’ will be released next month with a completely different look from the previous time, which experienced a large-scale recall from a series of fire incidents. Both the body design and battery system have been changed and significantly improved. LG Energy Solution was kept as the battery supplier, and added CATL from a Chinese company. Hyundai Motor considered the possibility of discontinuation at one point, but decided to refine its heat transfer system and aimed to compete head-to-head.
On the 6th, Hyundai Motor will launch three fully transformed second-generation models of Kona in Korea next month, including gasoline, hybrid models and ‘Kona Electric’ Korea next month. Vehicle will be delivered sequentially within the first half of the year.
The new Kona is larger in size compared to before, and the look of the model has been completely improved while keeping Kona's unique design such as split headlamps.
CATL was added along with existing battery supplier, LG Energy Solution, in order to improve export competitiveness abroad including China. This is interpreted as a two-track strategy according to the sales region and driving performance specifications. Electric vehicles equipped with CATL batteries are likely to be sold in Korea and other countries.
LG Energy Solution equipped a high-nickel battery with improved driving performance with a ternary nickel, cobalt, and manganese system (NCM). Although the form-factor of the CATL battery has not been confirmed, it is highly likely that a 'CTP (Cell to Pack)'-based lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that directly connects the cell to the pack may be equipped instead of the conventional cell to module and pack method.
Various sensing technologies such as heat detection and the battery management system (BMS) have been further improved to enhance safety in the battery system compared to previous models.
An industry official said, “LG Energy Solution and CATL were selected in a new bid ahead of the launch of the second-generation Kona electric vehicle. The battery system of the new Kona not only improved fire safety factors, but also driving performance and efficiency, which will enhance competitiveness of the vehicle.”
Hyundai Motor announced a recall of the battery systems that it sold a total of 81,701 units worldwide, which accounts for Kona Electric (75,680 units), IONIQ EV (5716 units), and Electric City Bus (305 units) from November 2017 to March 2020. Kona sold more than 250,000 a year in overseas markets, and considered as top exporter for two consecutive years in 2019 and 2020.
By Staff Reporter Taejoon Park (gaius@etnews.com)