Hyundai to launch battery electric car in 2016

Hyundai are preparing to launch a battery electric car in 2016 as the South Korean Company hedges its bets on the future of car powertrains.

The Hyundai BlueOn EV (pictured) was Hyundai’s last electric car

Back in 2011 it seemed that Hyundai was to concentrate on building hydrogen powered and hybrid cars as it looked to the future, but that seems to have changed.

Back then, Hyundai Motors head of R&D – Yang Woong-Chul – said he believed BEVs (battery electric vehicles) had zero chance of replacing ICE cars because of their poor range, poor battery technology and high costs. But it seems Hyundai has had a rethink.

This time Lee Ki-sang – Hyundai Senior VP – has said that Hyundai now believe there is no clear direction for future car powertrains, and although Hyundai will still focus on hydrogen and hybrid cars (with sister company Kia playing with EVs) Hyundai are planning the launch of a BEV in 2016.

What that EV from Hyundai will be, Ki-sang didn’t say. But the last effort by Hyundai on the electric car front was the i10-based Hyundai BlueOn EV (pictured above) so it probably makes sense for Hyundai to produce an electric power train for the new i10 to create their next EV too.

Whether the new Hyundai EV will be a global product or just a car aimed at its home market, we have no idea.