- Hyundai, Kia partner with LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, SK On for EV safety.
- MOU signed to advance joint research and safety standards.
- Five projects focus on patents, design, manufacturing, and firefighting
On August 22, 2025, Hyundai Motor and Kia announced a partnership with South Korea’s leading battery makers, LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On, to improve electric vehicle (EV) battery safety technologies. The collaboration, revealed at Hyundai and Kia’s Namyang R&D center in Hwaseong, showed the results of a year-long joint effort.
It included the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for future cooperation, according to Yonhap news agency. The ceremony featured Hyundai-Kia R&D chief Yang Hee-won, LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung, Samsung SDI CEO Choi Joo-seon, SK On CEO Lee Seok-hee, and officials from the transport and industry ministries.
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Initiated in August 2024 due to public concerns about the safety of EV batteries following a major fire incident, Hyundai-Kia created a Battery Safety Assurance Task Force with three battery manufacturers. The MOU binds the companies to ongoing joint research, sharing patents, and developing new safety technologies to set safety standards for the entire industry.
They identified five priority projects focusing on safety-related patents, digital battery passports, design and manufacturing quality, and firefighting technology. Yang Hee-won stressed that the collaboration's success stems from the commitment of leadership, dedication of researchers, and support from the government. He promised continued efforts for safer and more reliable EVs.
Kim Dong-myung pointed out the unified approach between industry and government to boost Korea’s competitiveness. Choi Joo-seon referred to it as a breakthrough for safety standards and sustainable technologies. Lee Seok-hee mentioned that this partnership would greatly improve battery safety quality.