In another win for the carmaker and its efforts in green technology, the newest Hyundai electric car is set to be the first of its kind.
Dubbed the IONIQ, it is set to be unveiled in South Korea in January 2016. The vehicle will also show at car shows in Geneva and New York later in the year.
What makes this Hyundai electric car different is that this model will feature three different electrical powertrain options: Fully Electric (battery), Plug-in Hybrid, and Conventional Hybrid. In a release statement, Hyundai said, “In its fully-electric (EV) form, the IONIQ is powered by a high capacity, ultra-efficient lithium ion battery. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version combines a fuel-efficient energy with battery power obtained by charging the car with electricity, boosting its range while cutting its emissions. Finally, the hybrid (HEV) utilizes the gasoline engine and motion of the car to charge the on-board battery, which returns enhanced efficiency by supplementing the engine’s power.”
This is the first time a car will feature three different setups in the same body. Woong-Chul Yang, Hyundai’s head of research and development, stated: “Our vision for future mobility focuses on choice, with a variety of powertrain options to suit customers’ varied lifestyles.”
Despite advances in research, the evolution of battery technology has not yet reached the point where a battery’s capacity can suit any driver’s needs. As Hyundai has chosen to release different powertrains to suit different requirements, including retaining some semblance of gasoline propulsion, the IONIQ will be able to fit a wide range of driving needs. Having options to suit many lifestyles will likely boost market appeal and sales.
Pricing or for-sale date of this new Hyundai electric car information was not released, though predictions for a release date have fallen around the latter part of 2017.
