One of the more interesting features about the 2020 Porsche Taycan is its 800 volt charging system. It enabled the electric vehicle to laugh in the face of range anxiety as a prototype was able to travel 2,128.1 miles (3,424.8 km) in just 24 hours.
While the Taycan Turbo starts at $150,900, it’s 800 volt technology will soon be available on more mainstream electric vehicles. This will happen pretty soon as Hyundai and Kia announced that starting in 2021, their electric vehicles will be equipped with an 800 volt architecture that can accommodate a charging rate of up to 350 kilowatts.
In order to maximize the potential of these upcoming electric vehicles, Hyundai and Kia have invested in Ionity which is a European charging joint venture founded by BMW, Daimler, Ford and the Volkswagen Group. The companies declined to say how much money they are pouring into the firm, but revealed the investment will help to increase the availability of charging stations in Europe as well as allow their future electric vehicles to “accommodate Ionity’s maximum charging power of 350 kilowatts.”
Also Read: BMW, Daimler, Ford, And VW Team Up To Launch European Charging Joint Venture
Ionity currently has around 140 charging stations in Europe and more than 50 others already under construction. The plan is to have 400 fast-charging stations open by 2020 with at least one located every 75 miles (120 km) along major European highways.
There’s no word on which Hyundai and Kia vehicles will be the first to feature 800 volt technology, but the companies noted their recent partnership with Rimac which is designed to spearhead the development of high-performance EVs. Rumors have suggested this partnership could help to spawn a production version of the well-received Genesis Essentia concept.
Regardless, Hyundai and Kia have plans for an assortment of new plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. The companies were coy on specifics, but confirmed they will have “44 eco-friendly models by 2025.”
