New Delhi: Hyundai Motor Group announced a major collaboration with three Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on Tuesday to establish a research framework focused on advancing battery technology and electrification. The partnerships involve IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras, marking a significant step in the Group’s strategy to foster innovation in the electric vehicle (EV) sector in India.
As part of the initiative, Hyundai will fund the creation of the Hyundai Center of Excellence (CoE) at IIT Delhi. The CoE will play a pivotal role in driving research and development efforts tailored to meet the unique needs of the Indian market, particularly in battery technology and electrification.
At a ceremony held at IIT Delhi, Hyundai representatives and IIT officials, including Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, and Deans Sachin C. Patwardhan of IIT Bombay and Manu Santhanam of IIT Madras, formally signed an agreement to establish the Hyundai Motor Group-IIT Hyundai CoE.
Naksup Sung, Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Planning & Coordination Center, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “We are thrilled to collaborate with IITs, renowned for their exceptional education and research. The Hyundai CoE will help build a strong talent network in India’s academic ecosystem, fostering innovation and future growth.”
The CoE will serve as a hub for joint academic and industrial research, focusing on the development of cutting-edge EV technologies. The collaboration will involve technical knowledge sharing, talent exchange, and collaborative workshops. Hyundai’s battery and electrification experts will also conduct specialized lectures and training programs, including potential visits to Korea for deeper learning.
Hyundai’s commitment to India’s EV ecosystem aligns with the Indian government’s push to boost EV adoption and reduce carbon emissions. The initiative will also work closely with the Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART), India’s only EV-focused research institute based at IIT Delhi.
Through this partnership, Hyundai aims to nurture a new generation of talent and create long-term employment opportunities in the country. The CoE is seen as a critical element of Hyundai’s strategy to enhance its research on advanced technologies and to develop products that are tailored specifically to the Indian market.
This collaboration further strengthens Hyundai Motor Group’s growing presence in India, following the recent IPO of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL). The Group views the CoE as a key component of its commitment to India’s growth and innovation, reinforcing its long-term objectives in the EV and technology sectors.
