Hyundai goes big on EVs with its largest model yet and advanced 800-volt battery technology

Alongside the debut, the updated IONIQ 6 will make its first European motor show appearance. Hyundai will also showcase its performance-focused N models and experimental EV design concepts. Earlier in December, Hyundai forayed into robotics with the unveiling of MobED, a compact autonomous robot for industrial and daily use, showcased at iREX 2025 in Tokyo.

Hyundai expands EVs The Brussels Motor Show, opening on January 9, will host major EV debuts from Hyundai Motor Group, underscoring the event’s continued relevance for global automakers. Hyundai will use the show to introduce its largest electric vehicle to date, while sister brand Kia will unveil its smallest EV, the production-ready EV2, alongside GT versions of the EV3, EV4, and EV5.

Hyundai has confirmed that its new model will feature an advanced 800-volt charging system and production-ready electric technology. According Motor1, the company describes the vehicle as supplementing its existing EV range, which currently spans from the compact INSTER to the three-row Ioniq 9.

At more than five meters long, the Ioniq 9 already sits at the upper end of European vehicle dimensions, suggesting Hyundai’s next EV will expand its portfolio rather than repeat an existing format. Speculation has been fueled by a teaser image showing a full-width LED light bar and by earlier reports pointing to an electric version of the Staria people mover.

Measuring 5.25 meters in length, the Staria is larger than the Ioniq 9 and has been sold since 2021 with gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. Reports from mid-2024 indicated a fully electric Staria could launch in 2026, with Europe identified as a key market and projected annual global sales of up to 20,000 units, reports Motor1.

The debuts come as the European Union considers easing its planned post-2035 ban on combustion engines, even as Hyundai maintains a strong electric focus in the region. Hydrogen mobility boost Earlier in the year, Hyundai also unveiled the next-generation NEXO hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle at the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show, highlighting significant progress in the brand’s hydrogen mobility strategy.

The updated NEXO introduces improvements in design, onboard technology, and fuel cell efficiency, aimed at strengthening its position as a viable zero-emission alternative. A key upgrade is the enhanced fuel cell system, which now delivers 110 kW (147 hp) of gross power, representing a 16 percent increase over the previous model.

This is paired with a more powerful electric motor producing 150 kW (201 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, enabling the NEXO to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. Performance gains are further supported by a redesigned battery system, with power output doubled to 80 kW and energy storage increased to 2.64 kWh. Hydrogen storage has also been significantly improved. The new system stores 6.69 kg of usable hydrogen across three tanks with a combined volume of 162.6 liters, increasing storage density and extending driving range to more than 700 km per refill under Korean test standards.

Refueling remains a core advantage, taking around five minutes. According to the company, the upgrades underscore the company’s ongoing commitment to developing hydrogen-powered vehicles alongside battery-electric and hybrid technologies.