Hyundai Motor, Kia develop Active Air Skirt technology to enhance EV range

Active Air Skirt (AAS) technology [Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp.]

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. on Tuesday unveiled their groundbreaking Active Air Skirt (AAS) technology designed to minimize aerodynamic resistance during high-speed driving. The technology, if successfully implemented, is expected to help revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) range and stability.

The AAS operates dynamically based on the vehicle’s speed. Positioned between the front bumper and the front wheels, the AAS remains hidden during normal driving conditions.

It activates at 80 kilometers per hour (km/h), when pneumatic resistance becomes greater than rolling resistance, the resistance created when a tire spins, and retracts at 70 km/h, Hyundai Motor said.

The technology effectively controls the airflow beneath the bumper, regulating the turbulence generated around the vehicle wheels during high-speed driving.

The AAS does not completely cover the front, focusing on shielding only the front portion of the tires, a design choice linked to the unique characteristics of the E-GMP platform. The flat bottom of the platform makes covering only the tire area more effective. This also enhances downforce, pressing the vehicle towards the road surface, improving traction, and increasing high-speed driving stability.

The AAS can operate at high speeds of over 200 km/h as the rubberized lower part reduces the risk of breakage due to external objects bouncing off at high speeds.

Hyundai Motor and Kia tested the AAS in the Genesis GV60, achieving a 0.008 reduction in the coefficient of aerodynamic resistance and improving drag by 2.8 percent. This translates to an estimated additional range improvement of around 6 km.

The companies have filed relevant patents in both South Korea and the United States and plan to evaluate the feasibility of mass production after durability and performance tests.