Hyundai Launches EV Battery Subscription Pilot for Seoul Taxis

Gate News message, April 28 — Hyundai Motor Group started a pilot electric vehicle battery subscription service in South Korea on April 28, targeting corporate taxis following a regulatory change that permits batteries and vehicles to be registered separately.

The automaker will deploy five Ioniq 5 taxis in the Seoul area to test how battery separation affects operating costs and vehicle lifespan. Instead of purchasing batteries upfront, taxi operators will pay a monthly subscription fee through Hyundai Capital and can exchange used batteries for replacements. Hyundai plans to expand the model to individual consumers in the second half of 2026. The pilot is enabled by a special exemption from South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as the country's Automobile Management Act does not yet contain rules for splitting EV battery ownership from vehicle ownership.