The German auto magazine Auto Bild now gives us exiting details about the new compact electric SUV from Hyundai.
This upcoming electric car is expected to arrive in the fall of 2018 with an estimated NEDC range of 500 km (311 miles), which translates to 350 km (217 miles) in the real world – provided by a battery capacity bigger than 50 kWh. The starting price of 35.000 € also makes this electric car very compelling. It will probably be the most efficient SUV in the world and will definitely be well positioned at the Electric car range and efficiency (EPA) section.
Considering that a 50 kWh battery would give the very efficient Hyundai IONIQ Electric an EPA range of 356 km (221 miles), an EPA range of 200-210 miles would be reasonable for a less aerodynamic car such as the Hyundai Kona Electric. What do you think?
Hyundai Kona Electric side by Auto Bild
The Hyundai-Kia Group embracing electric cars is the best news we got for a while. These two South Korean automakers sell cars with great value for the money. In fact they are my favorite traditional automakers.
However, as an European, I feel sad to see German automakers busy with weekly press releases delaying the electric car revolution for 2020 and beyond.
As I wrote in a previous article, next year will mark the beginning of the confront between two major automaker groups in the affordable electric car segment. They are the Hyundai-Kia Group and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Tesla in the other hand will start to dominate the premium car segment with the Model 3, which in my opinion will not compete with other electric cars, instead it will be a popular alternative to premium ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars. BMW knows it well and already uses Tesla as an example to show and prepare workers for a brave new world…
As a side note, the plug-in hybrid version of the Kia Niro already had its first production units delivered to South Korean customers. The much awaited electric version will come next year.
To sum up, next year will bring new exciting electric cars from the Hyundai-Kia Group, such as the Kia Niro EV, Kia Stonic EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and the Hyundai IONIQ Electric improved with bigger battery capacity and more range. There’s no stopping electric cars now.
What do you think? Are you optimistic about the foreseeable future?
