Not On The Floor, Hyundai Patents Electric Car Battery Behind Drivers

IONIQ 6 N. (Photo: Hyundai Global)

Hyundai Motor Company is reportedly developing a revolutionary battery system with a layout resembling the central engine configuration on sports cars. Through its latest patent filing, the South Korean manufacturer placed a T battery package in the form of a T behind the driver, creating a more balanced weight distribution and control characteristics like a high-performance car.

In the patent document, the T-shaped' battery pack is placed between the rear wheel axis and the cabin. The horizontal part of the letter T stretches between the rear wheels, while the vertical part is leading forward approaching the passenger space.

This design allows the car to keep a low and streamlined body profile without sacrificing energy storage capacity. Hyundai's research and development explains that the ideal battery position is not only a matter of energy capacity, but also related to kinetics, weight distribution, and driving characteristics.

We want to create a more balanced, dynamic, and responsive driving experience through this layout, in a statement quoted from Carbuzz, Saturday, October 25.

The concept of a battery placed behind the driver offers a number of advantages over conventional designs that place the battery on the vehicle floor. In addition to improving vehicle stability, this position also provides more flexibility for designers in managing cabin space and improving aerodynamics.

However, Hyundai still faces several challenges before this design can be applied to the production model. The main challenge includes a more complex battery cooling system due to limited space, as well as safety considerations when a collision occurs from the back.

Although it has not been announced which model will use this technology, Hyundai's move shows the company's big ambition to present electric vehicles that are not only efficient and environmentally friendly, but also fun to drive.