Hyundai has unveiled its new battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform, the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

While Hyundai has built a number of hybrid and electric vehicles, these have largely been adaptations of existing designs. As automakers migrate toward all-electric designs, and especially as they compete with fully electric makers like Tesla, dedicated BEVs will be crucial to innovation.

“Today our front-wheel driven Hyundai and Kia BEVs are already among the most efficient ones in their segments,” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of R&D Division for Hyundai Motor Group. “With our rear-wheel driven based E-GMP, we are extending our technological leadership into segments where customers demand excellent driving dynamics and outstanding efficiency.”

“E-GMP is the culmination of years of research and development and brings together our most cutting-edge technologies. Our BEV line-up will evolve and be strengthened by this innovative new platform,” said Fayez Abdul Rahman, Senior Vice President of Vehicle Architecture Development Center for Hyundai Motor Group.

Another significant benefit to Hyundai’s new platform is the ability charge other electric vehicles.

The E-GMP’s newly developed Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) represents an upgrade from existing On-Board Chargers (OBC), which typically only allow electricity to flow in a single direction from an external power source. The ICCU enables a new vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which can additionally discharge energy from the vehicle battery without additional components. This enables BEV based on the E-GMP to operate other electric machinery (110 / 220V) anywhere. The system can even be used to charge another EV.

The news marks a significant step forward for Hyundai and Kia’s electric/hybrid plans, and put the companies on solid footing to compete in the new automative age.