A key part of any electric vehicle is what lies underneath the skin with the platform playing a big part in its fuel saving mission. Many automakers have already released dedicated platforms for their offerings, and that includes Hyundai which took the covers off of its all new E-GMP platform and revealed that it will be the spearhead platform in the launch of the Ioniq sub-brand.
The true sum of its parts 
In prior statements, Hyundai revealed that it plans to unleash no less than 23 different electrified models by 2025. That’s a very ambitious target, and hitting this proverbial high mark will require serious underpinnings that can fully deliver on the green philosophy that the Ioniq nameplate will bring to the market. A key part of this will be flexibility, and Hyundai reps revealed that the E-GMP platform will be able to accommodate a wide range of the automotive market including traditional cars and even SUVS. That in turn will lead to a wide range of capabilities with the platform not only delivering up to 310 miles of driving range in its most efficient guise, but also the ability to achieve a 0 to 60 time of 3.5 seconds for more track focused EVs.
But how on earth can a platform do all of this and still be a viable production option for Hyundai? The answer lies in the ingenious modular battery system which Hyundai has employed here on the platform with the battery pack itself being fitted in an area underneath the floor. The wheelbase can be extended (thus adding more battery packs) depending on the application with all models being powered by a standard rear mounted electric motor. However on certain models (i.e the SUVs) a front mounted electric traction motor can also be equipped to help make all-wheel drive possible. This is all achieved without too much intrusion into the passenger space which in turn allows the floor to be low and flat.
Immortality? E-GMP tries its best in this regard
An inevitable evil that all cars have to experience sooner or later is the aging process, with technology often surpassing a vehicle itself. Hyundai went to great lengths to help shield itself from this and has future-proofed the platform to an impressive extent. That includes giving it the ability to do fast charging on 240-volt, 400-volt, and even 800-volt systems. A dual path charging system further improves efficiency while improved thermal cooling is achieved via reworked electric modules.
This will help the platform have a ling shelf life, while also preparing it to seamlessly integrate anticipated advancements in both the charging network as well as some of the charging levels that could come online over the next few years. This also extends into the safety features that are baked into the platform with Hyundai engineers adding numerous passive protection systems in various parts of the vehicle. That includes crumple zones as well as strengthened sections of the structure that prevent intrusion of the battery components into the cabin.
When will E-GMP be put into production?
With things in this early stage of development, there are certain items that are unknown. However, Hyundai did let it slip that the Ioniq 5 will be the first model to formally roll out the platform. This model is slated to make its appearance next year but the rest of the roll out will be deliberate and calculated, with Hyundai focusing on reliability and catching bugs early as the rest of the models are shipped to dealerships.
The extra layers of protection are understandable, since the platform will ultimately see duty not only at Ioniq, but also Kia and Genesis which makes the task of getting the platform right all the more important. While the long waits will be painful, the end result should be worth it, with the models benefitting from this cautious approach.
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Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.