Electric Car Battery Technology | Kia UK
e-GMP, a blueprint for next-generation Kia electric vehicles and a leading innovation in electric car batteries
Our Electric Global Modular Platform - or e-GMP - is the result of Kia’s long-term investment in vehicle electrification and new battery technology for Electric cars.
Ultra-fast charging
The e-GMP is the first system in the world to allow seamless electric car battery charging at 400V or 800V without the need for extra equipment or manual adjustments. The default 800V ultra-high-speed charging requires only 18 minutes to recharge an EV6 from 10% to 80%. The system also supports the mainstream 400V charging, which uses the motor and the inverter to convert the voltage from 400V to 800V before battery storage.
Heat pump with waste heat recycling
Kia’s proprietary heat pump uses not only the heat from the external air but also the waste heat from electric vehicle components - the motor, OBC, EPCU/PE Module, EV battery, and slow charger- to heat the cabin. This capacity for recycling waste heat allows for superior levels of efficiency.
Efficiency and spaciousness
The e-GMP is compact, allowing for weight reduction and interior spaciousness. It is also supremely efficient thanks to innovations like the ‘hairpin winding’ technology in the motor and inverter power modules equipped with highly efficient silicon carbide power semiconductors. The improved efficiency of our e-GMP platform maximises the electric range of our EVs, so you can travel farther on one charge.
e-AWD system
The EV6 is the first Kia to adopt our e-All-Wheel-Drive system. It allows for a seamless switch between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive modes to maximise range and guarantee the best level of grip whatever the road surface. The drivetrain offers exhilarating performance. The high-power rear and front-wheel motors are positioned lower to optimise the vehicle's weight distribution and centre of gravity. The result is a vehicle that is more stable at higher speeds and turns corners with more poise.
Need to know more about electric car batteries?
What are electric car batteries made of? What are electric car batteries made of?
Electric car batteries are made up of various metals, including 'base' metals such as iron, aluminium and copper, as well as elements like Lithium. The most common type of battery used for Electric cars is a lithium-ion car battery as they are the lighter and, most importantly, safer than alternatives.
Electric vehicle Lithium-ion batteries are not made up of one single battery. An electric car has a pack of around 2000 lithium-ion cells that work together to operate as a battery. How big an electric car battery is will depend on the EV and manufacturer, but they generally range from 30kWh upwards. For instance, Kia's EVs come with a battery from 39.2kWh. The Kia EV6 has a 77.4kWh battery and a 328-mile range between charges.
When you go electric with Kia, your EV battery is included within the price of your electric car, so once you own the car, you also own your electric car battery.
How long do electric car batteries last? How long do electric car batteries last?
Modern Lithium-ion Polymer batteries are far more robust than you might think, with little deterioration occurring over the vehicle’s lifetime.
Regardless of technical considerations, Kia’s battery packs are covered by our 8-year, 100,000-mile car warranty. This warranty covers – if necessary - repairs needed to return the battery capacity to at least 70% of the original battery capacity. Where possible, the original battery components will be repaired. If unrepairable, the battery will be replaced with either a new or remanufactured Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery.
Are Hybrid car batteries different to electric car batteries? Are Hybrid car batteries different to electric car batteries?
Because Hybrid cars are powered by both a battery and a combustion engine, hybrid car batteries are much smaller than electric car batteries. They also have a shorter electric range as hybrids do not provide electric-only driving. Hybrid car batteries also have much smaller power-to-energy ratios compared to electric car batteries.
Hybrid car batteries charge via regenerative braking. This means they can recharge on the go while you are decelerating or travelling downhill, so there's no need to plug your vehicle in to charge.
If you're looking to benefit from a more efficient and sustainable driving experience, without the hassle of plug-in charging, Hybrid cars may be an ideal option for you.
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