Hyundai has managed to obtain 70 million won (approximately $64.6 million) from the South Korean Government to develop and commercialize a mid-sized electric car for 2014.
This investment will give the manufacturer all necessary tools to realize this project – which was already part of its long-term plans – three years ahead of what was originally planned. At first, a large-scale deployment of the vehicle was to be held in 2017, but, fierce competition forced the company to forestall its schedule.
Current focus is to make the car able to travel 200 kilometres on a single charge, but it is too early to speculate on further details. Possible technological improvements, especially with batteries which Hyundai develops in-house, may well increase its range.
The maker of the Sonata, the Elantra and Tucson will not be in unfamiliar territory, however, as it expects to produce 2,500 units of its BlueOn by the end of 2012. The latter is a compact hatchback electric car that can run for 140 km without having to plug in to an electric outlet. In addition, Kia is expected to engage on a similar adventure next year.
Source: Yahoo! News
This investment will give the manufacturer all necessary tools to realize this project – which was already part of its long-term plans – three years ahead of what was originally planned. At first, a large-scale deployment of the vehicle was to be held in 2017, but, fierce competition forced the company to forestall its schedule.
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| Photo: Hyundai |
Current focus is to make the car able to travel 200 kilometres on a single charge, but it is too early to speculate on further details. Possible technological improvements, especially with batteries which Hyundai develops in-house, may well increase its range.
The maker of the Sonata, the Elantra and Tucson will not be in unfamiliar territory, however, as it expects to produce 2,500 units of its BlueOn by the end of 2012. The latter is a compact hatchback electric car that can run for 140 km without having to plug in to an electric outlet. In addition, Kia is expected to engage on a similar adventure next year.
Source: Yahoo! News