14:02 24-10-2025

Hyundai and Kia's T-shaped EV battery aims for mid-engine balance

Hyundai and Kia have filed an unconventional patent that could reshape how we think about performance EVs. The document outlines a T-shaped battery designed for compact, lightweight cars with packaging that echoes a mid-engine layout.

Unlike traditional flat packs, the new design stacks multiple layers of modules and places liquid-cooling plates between them. Each plate links to the next, equalizing heat transfer and grounding all the cells. This architecture makes it possible to tuck the battery into tight spaces—under the rear seat or along the floor tunnel where a transmission would typically run.

The idea feels especially relevant to sports-oriented projects such as the Hyundai N Vision 74, engineered around hydrogen tanks. With this battery, it becomes realistic to build a low, balanced electric car with rear-biased mass, giving it a character akin to a mid-engine machine. That kind of packaging often tilts the experience toward agility and driver focus, the qualities enthusiasts hope to keep as performance goes electric.

The patent doesn’t disclose exact dimensions, but the layout promises enough flexibility to suit different body styles—from coupes to roadsters. Engineers suggest this shape could be a key enabler for bringing classic sports-car formulas into the electrified era.