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MagyarKia and Hyundai announce new Active Air Skirt for better EV range
Kia and Hyundai have teamed up to develop Active Air Skirt (AAS) technology to improve the range of electric vehicles. Other benefits of the optimized aerodynamics include greater downforce for enhanced traction, increased vehicle stability and reduced wind noise.
The AAS can control the amount of turbulence generated by adjusting the flow of air entering below the bumper. The tool is designed for use when driving at higher speeds of over 80 kph (~50 mph), suitable for use at speeds of up to 200 kph (~124 mph), and is hidden when not in use. The Active Air Skirt sits between the front bumper and wheels on electric vehicles which use the e-GMP platform. It is made partly of a rubber material which can withstand water and damage from road debris.
The Active Air Skirt technology has been tested in the Genesis GV60, reducing the drag coefficient by 0.008 or 2.8%; for context, the drag coefficient is typically 0.29. According to Kia, this is equivalent to around 6.0 km (~3.7 miles) range, a relatively small increase allowing the GV60 to travel for up to 523 km (~325 miles) between charges. Hyundai and Kia have applied for patents for the technology in the US and South Korea. However, it remains to be seen when the Active Air Skirt could be readily available in EVs on the global market.
