Hyundai Unveils Its First EV, Announces Plans to Mass Produce the Model in 2012

Hyundai Unveils Its First EV, Announces Plans to Mass Produce the Model in 2012

By Scott Doggett September 9, 2010

Hyundai Motor today unveiled its first all-electric car, with a goal of starting mass production of the plug-in, zero-emissions model in 2012, South Korea's largest automaker said in a statement.

The unveiling took place at the Blue House, the executive office and official residence of South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak, who attended the event.

The BlueOn, based on the company's i10 hatchback, will be powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery made by SK Energy with a capacity of 16.4 kilowatts per hour, the company said, adding that it began development of the model a little over one year ago and has invested about $34 million in the program.

Hyundai said it chose LiPoly batteries because compared with previous nickel-metal hydride batteries, LiPoly delivers the same power with 30 percent less weight and 40 percent less volume, boosting efficiency and leaving more interior space for passengers.

The BlueOn can run 140 kilometers (87 miles) on a single charge, can reach 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in 13.1 seconds and features a maximum speed of 130 kilometers (80 miles) per hour, Hyundai said.

It said the model can be recharged using 220-volt and 380-volt outlets. Using the 220-volt outlet, the battery can be fully recharged in 25 minutes, the company said. The battery can be recharged to about 80 percent of its capacity within 25 minutes using a 380-volt outlet.

Hyundai said it will collaborate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and other government agencies to build recharging facilities.

The automaker said it will provide 30 BlueOn vehicles as test fleets to various government organizations in South Korea by October. These vehicles will be mainly used to help develop and test charging infrastructures for about two years.

The company said sales to the general public will commence in 2012, by which it plans to manufacture 2,500 units a year, Hyundai said.

Hyundai said it was early to say in which markets the BlueOn would be launched first, and the company did not disclose the price of the model.

The South Korean government said today that it plans to replace 20 percent of the country's passenger cars with electric vehicles by 2020 with a goal to lead the emerging market.

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.