Hyundai will be carbon neutral in 2045
Hyundai will stop selling fossil fuel-based vehicles in major markets in 2040
Hyundai just made a huge announcement at the 2021 IAA. As part of its continued effort to become a more environmentally-friendly automaker, Hyundai says it is committed to becoming a carbon-neutral company by 2045.
“Under our company’s vision, Progress for Humanity, Hyundai Motor is determined to do the right thing for the world. Climate change is an undeniable challenge that needs everyone’s utmost and urgent attention. Hyundai Motor commits to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2045, and we will make investments in cleaner transportation and greener energy solutions to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all,” said Jaehoon Chang, president, and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company.
To achieve its goal of carbon neutrality, Hyundai introduced a strategy that rests on three pillars: Clean Mobility, Next-generation Platforms, and Green Energy.
Under the Clean Mobility plan, Hyundai plans to increase sales of zero-emission vehicles in the coming years. By 2030, Hyundai aims to have 30% of its sales to be comprised of EVs. And by 2040, the company expects battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to account for 80% of total vehicle sales. Starting in 2035, Hyundai plans to only sell zero-emission vehicles in Europe. Come 2040, Hyundai will phase out fossil fuel-based vehicles in major markets.
Hyundai has started slashing half of its internal combustion engine (ICE) lineup to free up resources to invest in EVs. Moreover, the company has reportedly stopped the development of future diesel engines. With those in mind, Hyundai is making big strides in further developing EVs and other zero-emission vehicles.
When it comes to making EVs, Hyundai will rely on making Next-Generation Platforms. One of the ways the company plans to make this possible is by utilizing the E-GMP architecture. It will solely be used for EVs and will underpin the company's future electric models. Each platform will have a powerful motor, a transmission, and an inverter. Depending on the specifications needed, it will also have a modular battery system and extendable wheelbase. This will allow the architecture to accommodate various vehicle types and battery ranges.
Aside from making land-based zero-emissions vehicles, Hyundai also plans on introducing zero-emissions urban air mobility (UAM) solutions. During the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the company unveiled the S-A1 as a means to provide all-electric mobility for intra-city operations. The company plans to launch an all-electric model based on the concept by 2028.
Last but not least is Hyundai's commitment to using Green Energy. Aside from producing zero-emission vehicles, Hyundai plans to use renewable energy for all of its facilities and reduce the carbon emissions in its factories.
With Hyundai expanding its EV lineup and upgrading its facilities to run on renewable energy, the automaker could be on its way to achieving carbon neutrality in the coming years. But with the company looking to selling only zero-emission vehicles in Europe, what about other developing countries that still rely on the internal combustion engine?
