The growth of xEVs and improvements to ICE vehicles (Part 2)

　According to Hyundai Motor Company, green vehicles (hybrid engine vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid engine vehicles (PHEVs), electric vehicles (EV), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)) are expected to reach a global sales volume of 9 million vehicles by 2023 (equivalent to 9.1% of all global vehicle sales). Among these environmentally friendly vehicles, HEVs and PHEVs are expected to grow considerably, by 39% and 36%, respectively. The Hyundai Group believes that it is too risky to focus development on only one type of green vehicle, and has decided to instead develop all types. With regards to internal combustion engines (ICEs), the OEM will develop downsized engines with improved thermal efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Developments to optimize fuel consumption and increase efficiency in hybrid systems are also underway. The automaker released its first hybrid vehicle in 2009, the Sonata HEV in 2011, and a PHEV model in 2013. Additionally, the OEM released its Tucson FCEV and has focused on basic development. In 2016, Hyundai developed a specific platform for third-generation green vehicles, and released HEV, EV, and PHEV versions of its IONIQ series. In 2018, the OEM plans to release its next-generation FCEV. Following this, the Hyundai Motor Company Group announced it will release 28 environmentally friendly vehicles (ten HEVs, eight PHEVs, eight EVs, and two FCEVs) by 2020. This report will introduce the OEM’s powertrain developments.

(The 2017 North American model of the IONIQ HEV and its engine: From Hyundai Motor Company press release materials)

Related Reports:
Hyundai Motor: Launching the Genesis luxury brand and Ioniq green car series (Apr. 2017)
Research on revolutionary combustion technology(2): Contemplating the limits of innovation（Dec. 2016）
Research on revolutionary combustion technology: Contemplating the limits of innovation（Nov. 2016）
Automotive technology on the road to 2050（Oct. 2016）
Evolution of the internal combustion engine（Feb. 2016）
JSAE Exposition 2015: Envisioning future of powertrains for passenger cars (1) (trends in Japan)（Jun. 2015）
JSAE Exposition 2015: Envisioning future of powertrains for passenger cars (2) (trends in Europe)（Jun. 2015）

　The Hyundai Motor Company Group has been releasing green vehicles since 2009. The first phase, lasting from 2009 to 2010, was called the research and development phase, and the OEM released the Elantra HEV and the BlueOn EV. From the second phase, the OEM expanded its lineup of HEVs, and mass-produced four types of green vehicles. Hyundai announced its third phase, which started from 2016, will involve the release of its IONIQ series of next-generation green vehicles. Hyundai’s green vehicle models by category will increase from 11 models in 2016 to 28 in 2020.

　2016’s IONIQ series utilizes a dedicated platform. An HEV model was released in December, followed by an EV and PHEV in June. The powertrain for these models was developed using common technology. The 2017 North American models came in at the top of the EPA’s fuel efficiency rankings in both the HEV and EV categories. The HEV ranked even higher than Toyota’s Prius, whereas the EV outranked BMW’s i3 and Chevrolet’s Bolt for the top position. Additionally, although the Kia Niro is an SUV, it shares a common powertrain with the IONIQ series, and ranked fifth. IONIQ models have a high air-resistance coefficient (CD) of 0.24. Moreover, the HEV’s 1.6 liter engine employs the Atkinson cycle and achieves a thermal efficiency of 40%.

Top 10 EPA HEV fuel efficiency rankings (2017 year models): Source: EPA

Top 10 EPA EV fuel efficiency rankings (2017 year models): Source: EPA

Specs and performance of models in the IONIQ series (2017 model)

　Commuting distance in Korea averages at 40 km to 50 km. If the IONIQ or SONATA PHEV models are in an environment where they can be charged daily, PHEVs, which can drive through central urban areas in EV mode, have half the daily running cost of HEVs. In comparison to gasoline engine vehicles, running costs can be reduced by roughly 70%.

　Hyundai Motor Company implemented lease sales of FCEVs from 2013 in Korea, Europe, the U.S., and Canada. Its FCEVs have passed all safety regulations, and 300 or more component manufacturers cooperated in developing and manufacturing parts and systems. Practical driving tests have been implemented in Europe, Korea, and the U.S., and sales will end in 2017.

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Keyword

IC, ICE, Internal combustion engine, thermal efficiency, electrification, electrified vehicle, PHEV, HEV, FCV, FCEV, BEV, EV, Hyundai Motor Company

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