Charged EVs | Hyundai Mobis develops 160 kW EV drive system with 16% higher specific power and 20% volume reduction

Hyundai Mobis has completed development of a 160 kW Power Electric (PE) system designed as a universal platform model—not built to a specific vehicle program, but standardized for pitch to multiple global OEM customers. The PE system integrates motor, inverter and reduction gear into a single unit.

The 160-kW system delivers up to 215 hp, which Hyundai Mobis says is sufficient for most EVs currently in mass production. Compared to the company’s prior approach, specific power—output per unit weight—improved by about 16% and overall system volume dropped by nearly 20%, achieved through modular design, standardized components and a new motor cooling structure. Running two units front and rear doubles output to 320 kW. The power module is built on high-efficiency power semiconductors.

The gains come from standardizing three core components across the lineup: the drive motor stator, the inverter and the power module. That platform approach lets the same architecture scale across vehicle classes without a full powertrain redesign per program—a different model from how global automakers have traditionally co-developed component-specific systems with individual suppliers.

Hyundai Mobis completed a 250 kW high-performance PE system last year. The 120 kW model, targeting compact vehicles and emerging markets with minimized size, weight and cost, is planned for completion in the first half of 2026. With all three done, the lineup spans small mobility through high-performance EVs. Hyundai Mobis says overseas customers have already expressed significant interest.

Source: Hyundai Motor Group Newsroom