Strategic Partnership with Leading Engineering Institutes to Drive Research and Boost India’s Electric Vehicle Ecosystem
SEOUL/DELHI – In a landmark move to accelerate advancements in electrification and battery technology, Hyundai Motor Group has announced a new collaboration with the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The partnership, set to unfold across five years, will focus on cutting-edge research aimed at developing solutions tailored to the growing Indian market for electric vehicles (EVs).
The collaboration will see the establishment of the Hyundai Center of Excellence (CoE) at IIT Delhi, backed by a generous investment of approximately USD 7 million. The CoE will be a hub for research on battery systems, electrification, and hydrogen fuel cells, alongside a focus on software innovations. The initiative involves three major IIT campuses: IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras, marking a significant step toward fostering deeper academic-industrial ties.
The formal agreement was signed during a ceremony at IIT Delhi, attended by key figures from both Hyundai and the IITs, including Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, and Deans Sachin C. Patwardhan of IIT Bombay and Manu Santhanam of IIT Madras. This partnership is expected to spearhead India’s EV research landscape, particularly in alignment with the government’s efforts to promote sustainable mobility.
Naksup Sung, Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Planning & Coordination Center, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We are thrilled to partner with IITs, institutions renowned for their excellence in education and innovation. Through the Hyundai CoE, we aim to cultivate a new generation of talent, fostering breakthroughs in technologies that will shape the future of transportation in India.”
In addition to the research component, the Hyundai CoE will serve as a conduit for knowledge exchange, enabling experts from Korea and India to share insights and collaborate on advanced projects. This will include training programs, technical exchanges, and academic lectures by Hyundai’s specialists in electrification and battery technology.
Hyundai’s investment in this initiative comes as part of its broader commitment to India, where it seeks to play a key role in the development of a robust electric vehicle ecosystem. This collaboration is expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) and support the country’s push towards an electrified future. Through these efforts, Hyundai aims to not only contribute to India’s technological progress but also to the long-term growth and employment prospects within the nation.
