Charge myHyundai Now Offers Access To 500,000 European Charging Stations
Effective route planning and access to charging stations are key factors in making electric vehicle ownership a practical and enjoyable experience. Without access to a reliable network of charging stations and accurate information about route planning, drivers of electric vehicles may experience range anxiety and less convenience than traditional gas vehicles.
However, with careful planning and access to adequate charging infrastructure, EV owners can save money on fuel costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and enjoy the quiet and smooth operation of their electric vehicles. Charging station route planning tools help drivers to plan their trips more efficiently, reducing the risk of running out of battery power mid-journey. And with an increasing number of charging stations being installed across the country, EV drivers can always find a convenient place to recharge their vehicles’ batteries.
Nobody, especially in the United States, has been doing this on the level of Tesla. With great route planning software, a decent and growing charging network, and everything tightly integrated with decent software, Tesla largely solved that challenge for EV drivers. So, if another manufacturer wants to be a serious player, this is something it’s going to have to do.
Fortunately for Hyundai, it recently achieved a key milestone on this in Europe, and this could be a sign that its aspirations to be a top-tier EV player aren’t delusional.
500,000 Stations Integrated In Europe
With Tesla, there was no charging network and almost nothing for third-party charging when it started the Supercharger network. For CCS cars (in both the States and in Europe), manufacturers are facing a different challenge than Tesla did. So, building a manufacturer owned and operated network isn’t a strict requirement in 2023.
In a recent press release, Hyundai gave us a clue about how it’s approaching this.
Hyundai Motor Europe’s charging service, Charge myHyundai, has achieved a significant milestone by providing access to over 500,000 charging points within 30 countries across Europe.
In an effort to ensure European electric vehicle (EV) drivers have access to a reliable charging network, Hyundai has partnered with leading charging solutions providers such as Digital Charging Solutions and IONITY. The growing number of charging points across the continent is helping to alleviate range anxiety among drivers, with high-power chargers ensuring shorter charging times.
Hyundai says its Charge myHyundai service provides a seamless charging experience that optimizes the entire process for EV customers, with access to one of the most extensive public charging networks throughout Europe. Hyundai electric vehicle drivers benefit from various tariffs for diverse driving needs, easily accessible through a single RFID card or Charge myHyundai app. Additionally, the service streamlines billing with one monthly invoice for all charging sessions.
Charge myHyundai app users can also take advantage of its navigation function, which includes an easy-to-use search for charging points, as well as filter options such as plug type, charging speed, and access type. Real-time updates on charging fees and availability further enhances the EV charging experience for Charge myHyundai app users.
Hyundai is set to make electric vehicle (EV) charging more convenient and secure with the introduction of Plug & Charge in the IONIQ 6 model by 2023. This feature enables an IONIQ 6 owner to initiate the charging process by simply plugging their vehicle into a charging point. Authentication for charging will occur directly and automatically between the EV and the charging point, eliminating the need for an RFID charge card or smartphone application, saving EV drivers hassle and time.
This Is Serious Progress Toward Hyundai’s Goal Of Being A Top-Tier Player
A few days ago, we covered Hyundai’s plan to become a top-3 player in the EV industry.
At the recent groundbreaking ceremony of Kia’s dedicated plant for purpose-built vehicle production, Hyundai Motor Group announced its plan to become one of the top three electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers globally by 2030. This goal will include combining sales of Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis electric models. In addition, Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest KRW 24 trillion ($18.4 billion) into the domestic EV market by 2030 through the combined efforts of Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Hyundai MOBIS.
Through the significant investment, Hyundai Motor Group aims to enhance the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in Korea and establish the country as an innovation hub for the entire automotive industry.
In addition to investing in the EV ecosystem, Hyundai Motor Group plans to allocate significant resources towards research and development (R&D) initiatives. This includes constructing research centers and developing a platform for next-generation EVs, expanding product ranges, and creating essential components and advanced technologies. The group aims to collaborate with its partners in supporting technological advancements in the industry.
As part of efforts to support the electrification transition of the auto components business, Hyundai Motor Group has planned to significantly increase its support for suppliers and aid in the qualitative expansion of the Korean auto industry. The group intends to share costs such as fluctuating raw material costs with its suppliers and adjust the prices of commodities it provides accordingly. In 2020, due to the increase in raw material deliveries to over 300 primary suppliers, Hyundai Motor Group paid roughly KRW 3.4 trillion ($2.6 billion).
My colleague Tim points out that it remains to be seen whether Hyundai Motor Group will become one of the top three electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers by 2030, as companies like BYD and Tesla currently lead the market. However, with continued investments of $18 billion in the right areas, the group has a decent chance of achieving its goals. Even if it does not reach one of the top three spots, Hyundai’s efforts to focus more on the domestic EV market and reduce emissions still contribute toward a more sustainable future by minimizing the production of petrol vehicles.
Seeing the company implement a federated charging network that draws on industry resources and presents them to the driver in a coherent and useable format, incorporating hundreds of thousands of stations, shows us that it is quite serious about building upon these investments and doing what it takes to please customers and deliver a coherent driving experience.
Featured image provided by Hyundai.
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