Hyundai is planning a major upgrade of its vehicle electronics, asking suppliers to help move away from the old 12-volt systems that have powered car electronics for decades. Since the 1950s, most vehicle electronics have run on a 12V armature. However, advances in technology mean this setup is no longer adequate.
Modern vehicles now include more complex features, such as advanced driver-assistance systems, sophisticated multimedia and communication tools, and technology like drive-by-wire and rear steering. These new systems require much more power and higher voltages to work reliably.
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To stay up to date, Hyundai is looking to adopt a 48-volt electronic system similar to what’s found in vehicles like Tesla’s Cybertruck. Introducing this higher voltage armature is expected to improve the performance of the latest vehicle technologies and help future-proof Hyundai’s cars.
Hyundai understands that completely overhauling the electronic architecture of its vehicles is a huge task. For that reason, the switch to a 48V system will happen step by step. The company’s goal is to gradually build up its supply chain for 48V electronics, aiming to have the transition well underway by 2029. The long-term plan is to make this move more affordable over time, reducing costs as technology adoption increases.
This marks a major shift for Hyundai as carmakers around the world upgrade their vehicles to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and consumer expectations.