On January 13, 2026, reports revealed that South Korean battery manufacturer SK On and automotive giant Hyundai Motor are jointly developing a new electric vehicle (EV) battery cooling technology known as Large Surface Cooling (LSC).
Currently, most EV batteries are cooled at the module or pack level. The LSC technology, however, takes a different approach by placing cooling plates directly between battery cells for more efficient heat dissipation. SK On’s flagship products are pouch-type batteries, which typically use polyurethane or silicone materials to connect cells into modules, and then assemble those modules into battery packs. Cooling channels are usually located along the bottom and sides of the pack to allow coolant circulation.
In the new LSC system, metal heat-dissipation plates are added between the cells to enhance thermal performance. Unlike traditional designs that rely on mica sheets as insulating materials between cells, the LSC approach allows the cooling plates to directly absorb and release heat, offering a more efficient cooling solution.
SK On and Hyundai began planning the development of LSC technology in the second half of last year, and are now in the validation phase to assess its suitability for automotive applications. Whether the technology will reach commercialization remains Hyundai’s decision. Sources suggest that Hyundai currently favors surface cooling over liquid cooling, which introduces uncertainty about LSC’s future adoption.
It is noteworthy that SK On mentioned the LSC project in its New Year’s address, highlighting it as one of several innovative technologies the company is actively developing.
