Hyundai Proposes Integrating Electric Vehicle Bodies With Batteries in Patent

One of Hyundai’s latest patents would integrate an electric vehicle’s battery with its structure to allow for more space and greater efficiency, according to Top Speed.

Published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 14, the patent argued that, though vehicle bodies and batteries are manufactured separately and brought together during assembly, this creates a space of overlapping panels that prevent efficient use of space and a reduction in driving range.

Hyundai’s idea to integrate the battery and body would entail a floor pan, side rails extending to the rear wheel openings, and an upright firewall at the front, with battery cells being installed in the middle, towards the bottom.

Integrating battery cells with the vehicle’s body would allow for a stronger structure—however, it could make servicing these EVs an issue, if disassembly of the vehicle is required to access the battery.