Hyundai was the primary to supply a long-range electric vehicle in India when it launched the Kona Electric in July 2019. While its premium pricing has kept its sales relatively low, it’s helped encourage the adoption of electrical mobility to those that can afford it. The carmaker recently reaffirmed its plans to introduce a heavily localised EV offering in India.
Given the continued trend, it’s safe to assume that this made-for-India EV from Hyundai will likely be within the shape and size of a compact or subcompact SUV. While the Kona Electric may be a battery-powered version of an existing SUV that’s also offered with combustion engines, the new mass-market electric vehicle offering would likely be built from the ground-up. Hyundai is claimed to be aiming for up to 90 per cent localisation of the new EV so as to form it cheaper
The timeline for this new Hyundai EV has not been publicly discussed by the carmaker but we expect it to be showcased sometime in 2022. it’s expected to supply a competitive range of a minimum of 300km of range while the 39.2kWh battery offered within the current Kona EV features a claimed range of 452km. As a Hyundai product, even the mass-market EV will offer premium features like other SUVs in its portfolio. While 2022 is our estimate, the arrival of this Hyundai EV also depends on the event of the local charging infrastructure within the meantime.
While a well-equipped mass-market EV with over 300km of range would likely be priced around Rs 15 lakh, Hyundai could offer it via subscription-based ownership also . Some reports suggest that the underpinnings of the Venue (a global model) are designed for electrification also and that we can expect mild-hybrid offerings before the locally-made mass-market EV.
Currently, the selection of electrical passenger cars is restricted to a couple of models, and only three offer a claimed range of over 300km. the foremost affordable and therefore the best selling EV currently on sale is that the Tata Nexon EV, supported the ICE-powered sub-4m SUV, which claims 312km on a full charge with prices ranging between Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 16.25 lakh. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Kona Electric retails from Rs 23.76 lakh onwards and its closest rival, the MG ZS EV, starts from Rs 20.88 lakh