Does a Hyundai Have a Regular Battery?

Hyundai has risen to become one of the leaders in the automobile world, especially in the industry's transition towards HEVs and EVs. However, the question of every car owner and enthusiast would be, does a Hyundai have a regular battery? This is a rather ordinary question, but one that is more complex than it sounds, considering the types of batteries now available in various Hyundai productions. 

In this blog, we will discuss various kinds of batteries in Hyundai vehicles, from their conventional to the most advanced battery technology models, and how best to maintain them.

What Is a Regular Battery for EV?

When we say "regular" battery in the context of cars, we almost always mean a type that features lead-acid. This battery is the most prevalent kind of working in ICE vehicles. Such a 12-volt car battery mainly powers the car's electrical parts and starts the engine. Cars use lead-acid batteries, which have been here for decades due to their dependability and reasonable prices.

Several types of regular batteries are commonly used:

- Flooded Lead-Acid Battery: A very traditional style of automotive battery, these hold liquid electrolytes and need periodic maintenance to keep the water at appropriate levels.

- Absorbent Glass Mat Battery (AGM): Improved from the regular lead-acid battery, sealed, maintenance-free, and with better performance in high temperatures and higher electrical demand.

- Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB): This is yet another development from conventional lead-acid batteries to the growing segment of vehicles that equip start-stop systems, automatically shutting off the engine when a car is idle.

So, does Hyundai use a conventional battery? The answer is yes: most Hyundai vehicles employ the same internal combustion engine (ICE) technology that many urban and suburban drivers use in their cars, which still applies to traditional lead-acid batteries. However, with Hyundai increasingly geared toward hybrid and electric vehicles, the technology applied to the battery is bound to become more complex.

Types of Hyundai Batteries in HEV and EV Cars

Hyundai also offers a line of hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and electric cars. All these types of vehicles function using different kinds of batteries.

Hybrid Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrids

• Yes, even in Hyundai's hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, there is a conventional 12-volt lead-acid battery to power the vehicle accessories and electrical systems. But they feature a high-voltage lithium-ion battery. This high-voltage battery works with the vehicle engine to further improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, and in plug-in hybrids, provides an all-electric driving range.
• Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery: Hyundai uses this superior kind of battery in its HEVs and PHEVs. These batteries are marked by being lightweight and more effective than the older kinds of batteries, such as lead-acid batteries. It has a higher energy density and charges faster.

Electric Vehicles

In the case of Hyundai's fully electric vehicles, models such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, there is no ordinary gas engine to be fired up; instead, big lithium-ion battery packs serve as an only forming powerhouse to feed the motor. These large-capacity battery packs store energy for the car's functioning and provide ranges of as high as 354 miles on models like the Ioniq 5 on a single charge.

While they still maintain one for auxiliary power, a 12-volt battery, driving power is completely derived from a high-voltage battery pack.

Hyundai's Innovative Technology

With Hyundai continuing to push boundaries in electric and hybrid technologies, the brand has put together several innovative features that ensure its battery systems stand out from the rest:

- Battery Management System (BMS): Hyundai’s advanced Battery Management System assures users that the temperature and voltage, apart from the state of the charge in the battery, will fall within tight, strict boundaries. This allows for prolonging the life of a battery and enabling efficiency under extreme conditions.

- Regenerative Braking: Hybrid and Pure Electric Hyundai models are equipped with the Regenerative Braking System that captures part of the energy produced during braking by the driver and uses it again for battery recharging, thereby improving the vehicle's overall efficiency.

- Ultra-fast Charging: Hyundai’s electric vehicles, the Ioniq 5 specifically, have an 800-volt charging architecture. This gives it ultra-fast charging capability, taking the car from 10% to 80% charge in just about 18 minutes if you use a high-speed DC fast charger.

- Heat Pump System: With cold weather affecting the performance of electric vehicle batteries, Hyundai EVs have been equipped with a heat pump system that can capture heat generated inside the vehicle and recycle it to either warm the cabin or cool down the battery temperature for superior performance in cold climates.

Caring for Your Hyundai Battery

Whether your Hyundai model is equipped with a regular lead-acid battery or you have moved up to a more advanced lithium-ion battery, there are things you can do to take care of it and maintain your vehicle's performance. Here are some essential tips:

Regular Maintenance and Replacement

- Lead Acid Batteries: While most normal 12-volt batteries have an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years, the battery should be checked regularly to stay charged. If your area has extreme temperature fluctuations, it can further shorten the battery's life. When the car struggles to start or the dimming of the headlight, that is when it may be replaced.

- Lithium-Ion Batteries: These high-voltage batteries have considerably longer service life, usually about 8 to 10 years or more. However, paying due attention to the health of such batteries through regular maintenance checks at your dealership is vital. Most Hyundai EV and hybrid batteries boast a warranty of up to 10 years or 100,000 miles for peace of mind. 

Weather and How It Affects Battery Life?

Batteries are temperature-sensitive, especially lithium-ion ones. Sweltering temperatures can hasten the degradation of a battery, while freezing temperatures can temporarily shrink the capacity of the batteries. Hyundai's advanced battery management systems help minimize these effects, but parking your car in a garage or the shade is still a good idea to protect the battery. 

Improving the Longevity of Batteries

In hybrid and pure electric vehicles, it is usually quite sensible not to fully deplete the battery or charge it up to 100% every time. Keeping the state of charge within a range of 20% to 80% increases the overall lifetime of the battery.

Conclusion

Does a Hyundai have a regular battery? Yes, but that may have everything to do with what type of vehicle you own. While Hyundai's ICE vehicles use conventional lead-acid batteries for power, the hybrid and EV models use advanced lithium-ion technology to move the car and its systems down the road. Whether motoring a gasoline-powered, hybrid, or electric Hyundai, knowing the different types of batteries and how to maintain them correctly will keep your car running smoothly for years to come.