[SMM Tin News Flash: MIIT and Four Other Departments Jointly Launch Special Enforcement Campaign to Regulate Scrap Power Battery Recycling and Utilization]

Hyundai Motor Group will begin testing a subscription model that separates electric vehicle batteries from vehicle ownership. The group said on April 28 that Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Capital will launch a pilot battery subscription service for corporate taxis in the first half of this year. The pilot will target five IONIQ 5 corporate taxis in the Seoul metropolitan area whose battery warranty periods have expired. Under the program, participating vehicles will use batteries through a monthly subscription fee instead of purchasing them outright. When battery replacement is needed, the existing battery will be returned and another battery will be supplied.

Hyundai Motor will launch the IONIQ 5 Facelift electric vehicle in India on June 5. The model is expected to retain the existing rear-wheel-drive powertrain while upgrading its battery capacity from 72.6 kWh to 84 kWh. With the larger battery pack, the driving range is expected to increase from the current 451 km to around 570 km on a single charge. The vehicle is likely to deliver around 215 hp and 350 Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 185 km/h. The IONIQ 5 Facelift is also expected to support 350 kW ultra-fast charging, enabling the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in around 18 minutes.