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South Korean vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group and UK energy intelligence platform Kaluza have agreed to integrate smart charging capabilities into the Kia App and myHyundai App, launching in the UK in August 2026 and Australia shortly after. The partnership will lay the groundwork for vehicle to grid (V2G) services planned from 2027, designed to reduce energy costs by charging when renewable energy is abundant on the grid. Kaluza CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick described the collaboration as setting a new industry standard for EV and energy system integration.

Why it matters: The deal signals a major OEM commitment to managed charging and V2G across two key English speaking markets, potentially shaping grid service procurement and charging infrastructure requirements. CPOs and fleet operators serving Hyundai and Kia drivers may need to align with the new digital ecosystem to offer competitive smart charging propositions from 2026.

Hyundai Motor Group launched AllDayEnergy on 24 July 2026, a Vehicle to Everything energy services brand enabling compatible Kia and Hyundai electric vehicles to charge when electricity is cheap and sell stored power back to the grid. The service begins rolling out in the United Kingdom through the Kia App in the second half of 2026. AllDayEnergy is a software layer built on bidirectional charging hardware in E-GMP platform vehicles including the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, offering three tiers starting with Smart Charging (V1G) that adjusts charging timing based on grid load and electricity prices using a standard smart wallbox.

Why it matters: The platform creates new demand for smart charging infrastructure and grid integration services, positioning vehicle batteries as distributed energy assets that require managed charging networks. For CPOs and installers, it signals growing OEM involvement in energy management software that sits between the vehicle and charging hardware, potentially reshaping procurement specifications for fleet and workplace installations.

Hyundai Motor Group and SK On have begun early production at their joint venture battery facility in Bartow County, Georgia, following trial runs last month. The 3.3 million square foot plant, announced in 2022, is designed to produce 35 gigawatt hours of batteries annually at full capacity, enough for 300,000 electric vehicles, and is expected to create around 3,500 jobs. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that production will scale up gradually, though the timeline to full capacity remains uncertain following the end of the federal tax credit and slower EV sales growth.

Why it matters: The facility represents one of Georgia's largest economic development projects and signals continued commitment to domestic battery supply chains despite market headwinds. For charging infrastructure planners, the plant's eventual 300,000 unit annual capacity underscores the long term need for expanded charging networks to support Hyundai and Kia's EV rollout, even as near term deployment may lag initial projections.

Tesla and Hyundai have submitted objections to a proposed New South Wales EV road tax during a parliamentary inquiry, arguing it would penalise electric vehicle owners more than hybrid drivers. Tesla calculated that a Toyota Yaris Hybrid driving the Australian average of 11,025 km annually contributes 249.25 dollars in fuel GST and excise, meaning any EV road user charge above 1.62 cents per kilometre would see EVs paying more tax than comparable petrol hybrids. Hyundai described the outcome as perverse, while most submissions to the inquiry have opposed the tax, with motoring group NRMA a notable exception.

Why it matters: A state based road user charge that disadvantages EVs relative to hybrids could slow fleet electrification and undermine the business case for charge point operators relying on growing EV adoption. The inquiry outcome may influence policy settings in other Australian states considering similar levies.

Hyundai Motor Group signed an agreement on 6 July with South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Environment Corporation to transfer its Plug and Charge certificate and issuance authority, operated since 2021, to the government at no cost. The Korea Environment Corporation will build a government integrated certification system to enable universal use of the technology, which allows EV drivers to authenticate, charge and pay by plugging in without apps or cards. Hyundai acknowledges it trails Tesla in charging station numbers and aims to expand its E-pit ecosystem through technology openness rather than direct infrastructure investment.

Why it matters: The move creates a unified national PnC standard in South Korea, potentially lowering barriers for charge point operators to deploy interoperable infrastructure and reducing fragmentation that has hindered user experience. For procurement teams and CPOs, a government backed certification framework may simplify compliance and accelerate rollout of seamless charging across multiple networks.