Hyundai Motor India is taking a holistic approach to electric vehicle adoption, unveiling an ambitious plan to build an entire ecosystem that addresses India’s critical charging infrastructure gap while enhancing the real-world usability of its electric vehicles through advanced battery technology and integrated digital solutions.
At its investor day presentation today, the automaker revealed plans to install over 600 DC fast charging stations across India by 2032, spanning key cities and highways, as part of what it calls “Electrifying India – 360° Holistic Approach.” This comprehensive strategy recognizes that selling electric vehicles without supporting infrastructure is futile in a market where range anxiety remains the primary barrier to EV adoption.
Building India’s Charging Backbone
Hyundai’s charging network infrastructure forms the foundation of its electrification strategy. Currently, the company has already deployed 125 DC charging stations capable of up to 180 kW across 98 cities, strategically positioned at dealerships and along key highways. Additionally, the network includes 946 AC chargers rated at 7.4 kW/11 kW spread across 232 cities, according to internal data as of September 30.
The planned expansion to 600+ DC fast charging stations by 2032 represents nearly a five-fold increase from current levels, creating one of India’s most extensive automaker-owned charging networks. This infrastructure will be critical as Hyundai rolls out multiple EV models and targets significant electric vehicle volumes by 2030.
Complementing the public charging network is Hyundai’s smart connected home charging solution, offering 11kW AC charging that can replenish a 42 kWh battery from 10% to 100% state of charge in approximately four hours. The home charger includes advanced features like fast charging capability, remote start/stop functionality, and auto scheduling—allowing owners to optimize charging during off-peak electricity hours for cost savings.
The myHyundai App: Unified EV Experience
Central to Hyundai’s ecosystem approach is the myHyundai app, positioned as a one-stop solution for all EV needs. The application integrates discovery, booking, and payment functions, while providing access to the entire charging network through strategic partnerships.
The scale of the integrated network is impressive: over 22,500 charge points accessible directly through the app, another 18,500+ offering discover, book, and pay functionality, and an additional 17,000+ enabling in-car payments. This aggregated approach means Hyundai EV owners aren’t limited to the company’s proprietary chargers but can access a vast network of third-party charging infrastructure seamlessly.
This interoperability is crucial in India, where no single charging network has achieved comprehensive coverage, and EV owners often struggle with multiple apps, payment systems, and access protocols. By creating a unified interface, Hyundai significantly reduces the friction associated with public charging.
Enhanced Real-World Range
Addressing range anxiety head-on, Hyundai showcased its commitment to delivering EVs with practical, real-world range capabilities. The company highlighted two distinct battery architectures: a dual-battery configuration combining 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh packs delivering 513 km range (using the 51.4kWh battery pack), and a larger 72.6 kWh single battery offering 559 km range—all figures based on the Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC) P1+P2 testing protocol.
These ranges represent genuine usability for Indian conditions, where a 500+ km range provides the psychological comfort of covering intercity journeys without mandatory charging stops. The dual-battery option also offers flexibility, potentially allowing for more affordable entry-level variants with the smaller pack while offering extended-range versions for highway-oriented buyers.
Localization and Manufacturing Strategy
Hyundai’s electrification push extends beyond vehicles and charging infrastructure to encompass local manufacturing capabilities. The company announced plans for multiple EV products, locally manufactured battery cells, and battery technology collaboration with Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
This localization strategy is critical for cost competitiveness. Battery cells typically account for 35-40% of an EV’s cost, and local manufacturing can significantly reduce import duties and logistics expenses while creating supply chain resilience. Collaboration with IITs positions Hyundai to tap into India’s technical talent pool for developing battery chemistries and thermal management systems suited to India’s extreme climate conditions—where summer temperatures can exceed 45°C in many regions.
The “multiple products” commitment aligns with earlier announcements about Hyundai’s broader electrification strategy, which includes eight hybrid models by FY30 contributing 16% to the product mix, alongside pure electric vehicles spanning multiple segments.
Ecosystem Thinking: The Competitive Advantage
What distinguishes Hyundai’s approach from competitors is the ecosystem thinking—recognizing that EV adoption depends not just on compelling products but on the entire ownership experience. Tata Motors, India’s current EV market leader, has pursued a similar strategy with its Tata Power charging network. However, Hyundai’s integration of home charging, public infrastructure, app-based convenience, and local battery manufacturing creates a more comprehensive solution.
This 360-degree approach also provides Hyundai with valuable data on charging patterns, usage behaviors, and infrastructure utilization—insights that can inform future product development, battery sizing decisions, and network expansion priorities.
The strategy acknowledges India’s unique challenges: inconsistent power supply in many areas necessitating smart home charging with scheduling capabilities; vast geographical distances requiring extensive highway charging infrastructure; diverse vehicle usage patterns demanding flexible battery configurations; and price sensitivity requiring local manufacturing to control costs.
The Road Ahead
With India’s EV market projected to grow exponentially over the next decade, Hyundai’s comprehensive ecosystem approach positions the company to capture significant market share beyond its traditional stronghold in ICE vehicles. The 600+ fast charging stations by 2032, combined with tens of thousands of accessible charge points through partnerships, addresses the infrastructure deficit that has constrained EV adoption.
As Hyundai prepares to launch multiple EV models and scale up battery cell production locally, this holistic strategy—spanning vehicles, charging, digital integration, and manufacturing—could prove decisive in India’s electric transformation, ensuring that when customers are ready to switch to electric, Hyundai has removed every possible barrier to that transition.