Automotive

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  Researcher calls for public use of autonomous vehicles in remote areas SEOUL -- A researcher called for the public use of autonomous shuttle buses or taxis by putting them into underprivileged remote areas where traffic is inconvenient as South Korea's research is concentrated in unmanned driving solutions on urban roads. "It is difficult to use public transportation in areas where there are not many people other than the elderly," Lee Jae-kwan, a senior researcher from the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), said in an online 2020-08-25
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  Hyundai's KONA electric subcompact SUVs set new range record of over 1,000 km SEOUL -- Hyundai Motor's three KONA electric subcompact sport-utility vehicles have set a new range record of more than 1,000 kilometers on a single battery charge in a test at Lausitzring, a racetrack in Germany. The three factory-spec and unmodified SUVs each traveled 1,018.7, 1,024.1 and 1,026.0 km in a test monitored by Dekra, a European vehicle inspection company, Hyundai Motor said in a statement. Each vehicle's air conditioning and entertainment systems were off and 2020-08-14
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  Hyundai Motor launches new IONIQ brand for three EV models SEOUL -- Hyundai Motor, a top auto company in South Korea, launched its new IONIQ brand for three electric vehicle models installed with a dedicated battery platform called E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) that can run more than 450 kilometers on a single charge. Hyundai said the new IONIQ brand features ultra-fast charging, spacious interior and future innovations that combine design, technologies and services to integrate in-car and out-of-car experiences for a seamless 2020-08-10
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  Kia establishes joint venture to accelerate EV mobility services SEOUL -- Kia Motors, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, partnered with a domestic technology firm to establish a new mobility service start-up named "Purple M," which is designed to offer customized electric vehicle mobility services. Purple M will be set up between Kia and CODE42.ai to establish a comprehensive and flexible e-mobility service platform and lead the development of a sustainable EV ecosystem. CODE42.ai pioneers the transition to autonomo 2020-07-20
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  Hyundai and state energy company agree to push for expansion of hydrogen ecosystem SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group joined hands with a state energy company to push for the expansion of a hydrogen ecosystem. The two companies will establish a joint venture to build and operate convergence-type charging stations and actively respond to the establishment of charging infrastructure for commercial hydrogen-electric vehicles. Convergence-type charging stations include various functions such as hydrogen production, charging, sales and fuel cell power gene 2020-07-14
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  Hyundai introduces future airbag technology for autonomous vehicles SEOUL -- Hyundai Motor has introduced an airbag technology featuring overall protection of the body of passengers inside a driverless vehicle. To make sure that people do not fly out of their seats, the airbag tightly holds the passenger using fasteners. Compared to conventional cars that have rows of seats facing forward or backward, future cars without the driver's seat can have a totally different seat layout with airbags placed at right places to protect passengers fac 2020-07-13
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  Seoul mayor proposes ban on new registration of internal combustion engines from 2035 SEOUL -- Seoul, the South Korean capital with a population of 9.74 million, proposed a ban on the new registration of any internal combustion engine vehicles from 2035 under the so-called Green New Deal aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. "Quantitative growth centered on efficiency is no longer valid," Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said. "We will push ahead with the Seoul version of Green New Deal, a future strategy for the survival of ourselves, the earth, and humanity 2020-07-08
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  KEPCO develops easy charging method for electric vehicles SEOUL -- South Korea's state electricity company has developed an easy charging method that automatically enables user authentication and payment by simply connecting a charging plug to an electric car. It uses vehicle and payment information stored in electric cars instead of membership card authentication or credit card payment. Electric vehicles applied with the "plug-and-charge" method will be unveiled in 2021. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) said it wou 2020-07-07
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  First batch of Hyundai's fuel cell trucks heads for Switzerland SEOUL -- The first batch of 10 fuel cell heavy-duty trucks produced by South Korea's Hyundai auto group has left for Switzerland, heralding its inroad into Europe with hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. Hyundai has modified its Xcient truck to produce a fuel cell model capable of delivering a travel range of about 400 kilometers (248 miles) on a single charge. Hyundai said it would ship 50 fuel cell trucks to Switzerland this year as part of a deal with Swiss hydrogen compa 2020-07-06