Hyundai getting an all-electric long-range SUV

While Hyundai has accelerated plans for its first long-range electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), it’s uncertain which model will go to market first, Electrek reports.

Hyundai has electric versions of the Niro, the Stonic and the Kona all coming within the next two years, reportedly planning to debut one of those as an all-electric SUV.

German publication Autobild reports that the Kona, pictured, will have an all-electric version powered by a 50kWh battery pack, which could bring the vehicle’s range to nearly 320 kilometres on a single charge. The vehicle is expected in Europe by late 2018, Autobild saying it would start at 35,000 euros (NZ$55,000).

Hyundai is one of the biggest automakers pushing for fuel cell hydrogen, and it admits “they are only making electric plug-ins until hydrogen fuel cell vehicles take hold”. However, its latest moves indicate that it is getting serious about electric vehicles.

The Ioniq Electric is one of the most efficient electric vehicles on the market, priced extremely competitively in New Zealand. It is not yet available in great volume, but that could change. Even if its range is significantly shorter than the Chevy Bolt (380km) or Tesla Model 3 (340km), it should still find a market with a starting price below those two competitors.

The upcoming SUV will be Hyundai’s first truly long-range EV, and more about its official plans should be known by the end of the year.