(Left to Right- Mr. Jaewan Ryu, VP - Function Head, Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, Mr. Kuenhan Yi, VP & MD, Hyundai Motor India Engineering; Mr. Naksup Sung, SVP, Head of R&D Planning & Coordination Division, Hyundai Motor Group; Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi; Prof. Sachin C. Patwardhan, Dean R&D, IIT Bombay; Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean ICSR, IIT Madras; Prof. Preeti Ranjan Panda, Dean, Corporate Relations, IIT Delhi)

New Delhi, December 3, 2024: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance innovation in Electric Vehicle (EV) and Battery Technology. This partnership aims to drive transformative research and development that will shape the future of sustainable mobility in India. Under the MoU, the Hyundai Center of Excellence (CoE) will be established at IIT Delhi. 

This is a joint collaboration with two other IITs, namely IIT Bombay and IIT Madras.

The primary objective of the MoU is to formalize the parties' intent to explore and initiate collaborative research activities in EV and battery technology. IIT Delhi, as the lead institution, will coordinate efforts to harness academic and industrial expertise to address the unique challenges of the Indian automotive ecosystem.

Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, stated, “At IIT Delhi, our focus is on research that creates an impact in society and industry. This collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group and other IITs embodies our vision of linking academia and industry to develop sustainable, innovative solutions for the future of transportation. The Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART), established in May 2019, exemplifies this vision by serving as a hub for interdisciplinary research in electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage, and related fields. CART has a successful Masters programme in Electrical Mobility. The new Centre of Excellence will enable innovative and cost-effective solutions for advancing battery and electric vehicle systems.”

Under the leadership of IIT Delhi, the partnership will focus on core areas such as battery performance optimization, electric vehicle integration, and the development of energy-efficient systems. The Institute's state-of-the-art research facilities and its history of impactful innovation position it as a key driver of this ground-breaking initiative.

Senior Vice President Naksup Sung, Head of Hyundai Motor Group Research and Development (R&D) Planning & Coordination Center, stated, “We are delighted to join forces with IITs, a group of leading engineering universities renowned for its exceptional education and research. We believe that Hyundai CoE will cultivate a strong network of talented individuals from India's academic landscape, driving innovation and future growth.”

This collaboration not only strengthens IIT Delhi’s reputation as a leader in industry-academia partnerships but also sets a benchmark for how research institutions and global corporations can come together to tackle critical technological challenges.

Prof. Sachin C. Patwardhan, Dean (Research and Development), IIT Bombay, said, “I am excited to see three IITs from three corners of the country getting together and collaborate with Hyundai Motors in India’s EV mission. The center will foster unique collaboration between two countries.

“IIT Madras is excited to be a part of this collaboration with Hyundai Motors on a topic of global significance. This effort will bring together the leading institutes of engineering in India with a global leader in automotive engineering, and will pave the way towards new innovations,” said Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean ICSR, IIT Madras. 

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About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication, and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at: http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Media Center (kianewscenter.com), Genesis Newsroom

About IIT Delhi

IIT Delhi is one of the 23 IITs created to be Centres of Excellence for training, research and development in science, engineering and technology in India. Since its inception, over 60,000 students have graduated from IIT Delhi, including over 7000 PhD holders, many of whom have made significant contributions in fields such as technology, business, and politics.