The Future Mobility Battery Campus marks a turning point in Korea’s EV strategy, bringing battery research, production validation, and AI-powered testing under one roof.
South Korea’s automakers, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia, are accelerating their electrification strategy with a 1.2 trillion won ($816 million) investment to build their first battery-dedicated research and development hub in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. The new Future Mobility Battery Campus marks a critical move to internalize battery technology and reduce dependence on external suppliers in the rapidly evolving EV market.
The facility is expected to support not just electric vehicles (EVs), but also robotics, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and hydrogen-powered systems—areas considered central to the future of mobility.
A Strategic Shift Toward In-House Battery Control
The topping-out ceremony held at the Fifth General Industrial Complex in Anseong confirmed the progress of construction, which began in January 2025. Hyundai Motor Group highlighted the campus as a cornerstone of its strategy to lead the next wave of mobility innovation and increase global EV competitiveness.
“Through the Future Mobility Battery Campus, we aim to seamlessly connect the entire battery ecosystem to foster cross-industry collaboration and accelerate technological advancement. We are committed to strengthening Hyundai Motor Group’s EV battery competitiveness and advancing global electrification through strategic collaborations.”
— Yang Heui-won, Head of Hyundai-Kia R&D
Executives from Hyundai and Kia were joined by key government officials, including Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, underscoring the project’s national significance.
Consolidating R&D Under One Roof
The campus will span 111,000 square meters and is expected to be completed in 2026. A major shift will occur as existing R&D operations in Namyang and Uiwang are reorganized into a single integrated facility, allowing the companies to:
- Streamline development processes
- Cut research timelines
- Reduce dependence on external battery suppliers
- Improve control over cost, safety, and quality
This unified structure marks a departure from Hyundai and Kia’s previous strategy of dispersed R&D centers focused only on early-stage research.
Advanced Testbed Powered by AI
One of the facility’s most ambitious features will be an AI-driven testbed designed to evaluate battery materials, cell structures, and manufacturing readiness under near-production conditions.
The center will handle every stage of the battery lifecycle in-house — from materials research and cell design to pack integration and vehicle testing. This approach will enable Hyundai and Kia to shorten development cycles while ensuring strict quality and safety standards.
Key capabilities of the new testbed:
- Real-time data analysis for faster optimization
- Repeat testing to verify suitability for mass production
- Validation of new cell structures under realistic conditions
Focus Areas: EVs First – Robotics & AAM Next
The initial phase of research will target high-performance lithium-ion battery cells for electric vehicles and extended-range EVs (EREVs). However, Hyundai Motor Group plans to gradually expand R&D to serve:
- Robotics
- Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)
- Future mobility platforms
The automaker has already committed to introducing next-generation high-performance batteries by 2027, aiming to:
- Cut costs by 30%
- Increase energy density by 15%
- Reduce charging time by 15%
Analysts See Confidence — and Rising Competition
Industry experts say the launch of this campus reflects growing confidence in Hyundai and Kia’s in-house battery capabilities.
According to Park Cheol-wan, automotive engineering professor at Seojeong University:
“The large-scale ceremony signals that Hyundai and Kia now believe their battery technology is close to the level of major manufacturers. Their direction is clear, and competition will intensify.”
He added that the proximity to Seoul could attract top battery engineers — potentially heightening pressure on Korea’s battery makers to innovate and collaborate.
Following Global Trends in Battery Independence
The move aligns with strategies of global leaders like Tesla and Toyota, both of which have invested heavily in their own battery technologies and expanded into energy storage systems and battery recycling.
Experts believe Hyundai and Kia are pursuing similar goals:
- Gain greater bargaining power with cell providers
- Secure supply-chain stability
- Explore new business opportunities beyond EV
Building a Battery Ecosystem in Korea
During the ceremony, Hyundai Motor Group also signed an MOU with Gyeonggi Province, Anseong City, and Gyeonggi Housing & Urban Development Corporation. The goal is to create a battery industry cluster that supports R&D, supports suppliers, and attracts new businesses to Korea.
Long-term, the Anseong campus is expected to anchor a collaborative industrial ecosystem that strengthens Korea’s role in the global electric mobility market and accelerates next-generation battery innovation.
