Hyundai Motor Group Accelerates India’s EV Transition with Expanded Academic Network
Hyundai Motor Group is taking significant steps to accelerate the research and development of battery and electrification technologies in India. By expanding its Hyundai Center of Excellence (Hyundai CoE), the Group is establishing a robust pan-India network of academic and industrial partners. This strategic expansion leverages academic partnerships to create a vibrant research ecosystem designed to accelerate India’s journey toward widespread electrification.
Expanding the Hyundai Center of Excellence
The collaborative platform, which serves as India’s premier academic-industrial network for battery and electrification research, originally launched in 2025. The three founding partners from the initial launch included IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIT Bombay.
To solidify and grow this network, Hyundai Motor Group has formalized new agreements, expanding the Hyundai CoE to seven universities through four additional partnerships. The four new partner institutions are:
- IIT Kanpur.
- IIT Hyderabad.
- Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) Nagpur.
- Tezpur University.
This addition transforms the platform into a seven-university consortium, standing as India’s premier academic grouping. The expansion deepens the Group’s ongoing commitment to fostering local talent and developing mobility solutions that are specific to the Indian market.
The main agreement ceremony took place in New Delhi and was attended by prominent figures. Attendees included Chang Hwan Kim, Head of the Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit and Hyundai CoE Co-Chair, alongside Tarun Garg, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India Limited, Eul Kyo Lim, Head of R&D Planning & Coordination Center, and Chang Yeon Cho, Head of Hyundai Motor India Engineering Center. Several IIT officials and deans, alongside Sudhendu Jyoti Sinha, Advisor of Hyundai CoE, also joined the Group representatives.
Key Investment and Advanced Research Areas
To support and expand research activities across the Hyundai CoE network, the Group initiated a strategic investment program in 2025. Today, the platform is actively advancing 39 joint research projects through the network, bringing together industry partners and leading academic institutions.
The extensive research agenda focuses on foundational pillars of EV readiness, which the Hyundai CoE advances through its academic collaborations in India. The primary research areas span:
- Battery cells and battery management systems (BMS).
- Energy density, safety, and durability.
- Diagnostic technologies.
- Battery design and material research that is optimized specifically for the Indian market.
- The development of an Artificial Intelligence-powered Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) platform.
Fostering Global Knowledge Exchange
To ensure a continuous and robust exchange of expertise and knowledge, the Group is launching several complementary programs.
A central initiative is the Korea Visiting Program, designed to facilitate academic exchange between Korean and Indian researchers. This program enables shared learning regarding EV technology development and critical research advancements necessary for India’s mobility transition.
Furthermore, the Group will host a global e-conference where leading academics and experts can discuss emerging technologies. Upcoming tech forums will also be established to unite leaders across government, industry, and academia to advance these collaborative research initiatives.
The Long-Term Strategic Vision
The ultimate vision for this initiative is to evolve the Hyundai CoE from a traditional research center into a comprehensive research hub that actively supports India’s transition to electric vehicles. By strengthening these partnerships with IITs and other institutions, the program will contribute to advancing EV technology through strategic insights, research findings, and collaborative seminars aligned with India’s electrification goals.
This expansion solidifies the Hyundai CoE as a central pillar for fostering the strong industry-academia partnerships needed to drive this transition. The initiative is targeted at accelerating the development of India-specific EV technologies while simultaneously strengthening the nation’s broader research and development ecosystem.
Chang Hwan Kim, Head of the Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit, emphasized this goal, stating that bringing together emerging researchers and distinguished professors from these seven institutes creates powerful synergies. He noted these synergies will yield immense value for both India’s sustainable growth and Hyundai, expressing his belief that the Hyundai CoE will grow into the premier expert network of the Indian academic community. Through sustained engagement and knowledge exchange, the ultimate aim is to foster a vibrant ecosystem that heavily benefits the Indian automotive industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which institutions make up the expanded Hyundai CoE network? The consortium consists of seven universities. The founding partners are IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIT Bombay. The four new partner institutions are IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, VNIT Nagpur, and Tezpur University.
How many research projects is the Hyundai CoE currently handling? The platform is currently advancing 39 joint research projects across its seven partner universities.
What specific electric vehicle technologies are being researched? The research agenda covers battery cells, battery management systems (BMS), diagnostic technologies, safety, durability, and energy density. Key projects also include the development of an AI-powered Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) platform and battery material research optimized for India’s market.
What is the Korea Visiting Program? The Korea Visiting Program is an initiative launched by the Group to facilitate academic exchange between Indian and Korean researchers. It allows for shared learning on EV technology development and research advancements tailored to India’s mobility transition.
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