Hyundai reveals plans to build electric vehicles in India
Hyundai India has released plans to manufacture and export electric cars in India. Hyundai will produce the EVs at its factory in Irungattukottai near Chennai. The company plans to introduce an electric SUV in India, possibly in the next couple of years. Hyundai will launch the electric SUV across 15 cities in India. Although the company has not released details about the electric SUV it plans to introduce in India, we have news that it will be the Hyundai Kona. The Indian-spec car, expected in 2019, is set to be offered with the base 135PS, 300km range electric motor. The 39.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack this motor is paired with propels the electric Kona from 0 to 100kmph in 9.3s and onto a top speed of 167kmph, mainly due to its 395Nm of torque available from standstill. This battery can be fully charged in six hours or gain 80 per cent charge (240km range) in an hour with a fast charger. Reports suggest that the car could come in via the CKD route and be priced at around Rs 25 lakh. Besides the SUV, the company also plans to introduce a slew of new models between 2018 and 2020.
Hyundai says that it will study the market response to EVs in India to ascertain the feasibility of electric vehicles. It is also analysing the government support for developing electric vehicles in the country. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) managing director and CEO Y K Koo said that the government should consider reducing import duties and cutting GST rates on EVs in India. This will significantly drop the price of EVs in India.
At present, electric vehicle charging infrastructure in India is scanty and then there's the concern about generating enough electricity, using sustainable means, to cater to the additional demand.
Hyundai will also increase the production capacity at its factory in India to meet the growing demand for its present cars. Hyundai India not only produces cars for the domestic market but also in international markets. At present, the production capacity is 7 lakh cars per annum and it plans to raise this number to 7.5 lakh units from January 2019.