A Hyundai IONIQ 5 that logged up to 900 kilometers per day and accumulated 660,000 kilometers over 3 years has drawn attention for its durability and cost-efficiency. The case, introduced through Hyundai Motor Group’s official content channel (HMG Journal), has become a key example demonstrating the technological reliability of electric vehicles.
The vehicle’s owner, Lee Young Heum, frequently drove long distances between metropolitan and regional areas due to the nature of his sales job. To reduce maintenance costs, he chose the IONIQ 5 Long Range RWD model. Her claimed that even with 100% fast charging every day, he drove over 600,000 kilometers without any performance or range degradation.
In early 2025, when Lee’s vehicle had reached about 580,000 kilometers, Hyundai and Kia’s Namyang Research Center contacted him for research purposes—to collect real-world usage data on EV batteries and major drive components. They offered to replace the battery and electric motor free of charge. The collected battery showed a remaining state of health (SoH) of 87.7%, indicating excellent durability despite long-distance driving and repeated fast charging.
Yoon Dal-young, principal researcher at Hyundai Motor Group’s Battery Development Center, stated that this case provides highly meaningful data proving battery reliability under extreme driving conditions. They plan to use this data to strengthen their next-generation battery lifespan prediction models and design standards.
Developed on Hyundai’s dedicated E-GMP electric vehicle platform, the IONIQ 5 features stable driving performance, a spacious interior, and quiet ride quality—making it ideal for long-distance use. Lee added that the overwhelming convenience and driving comfort compared to internal combustion engine vehicles makes him consider another Hyundai or Kia EV as my next car.
Lee’s case directly addresses one of the biggest concerns consumers have about EVs: battery durability. The fact that the vehicle maintained stable performance over more than 600,000 kilometers—despite frequent fast charging and highway driving—is clear proof of technical maturity.
Notably, the collected battery’s SoH of 87.7% aligns closely with existing battery life prediction models. Compared to some cases overseas where EV batteries degraded by more than 20–30%, this case reinforces the reliability of Korean battery technology.
The case also highlights the importance of data acquisition. Hyundai Motor Group secured real-world data through voluntary cooperation, even under extreme usage conditions, using it for durability verification and model development. This showcases not only battery technology but also Hyundai’s comprehensive quality control capabilities as an automaker.
As the EV market shifts from competing on battery capacity to focusing on lifespan, safety, and real-world efficiency, Hyundai Motor Group’s proactive approach and technical validation could serve as meaningful differentiators in the global EV market.
