Cheaper Hyundai Kona Electric coming

Hyundai has announced plans to release no fewer than 23 new electric vehicles in Australia in the coming years, in response to increasing government support for EVs.

Before then, the ambitious South Korean car-maker will soon release a cheaper Standard Range version of the recently upgraded Hyundai Kona Electric, in an aggressive attack on small electric SUV rivals including the Chinese-made MG ZS EV, Australia’s most affordable EV.

Following yesterday’s announcement that the NSW government will provide stamp duty exemptions and $3000 rebates for the buyers of up to 25,000 new EVs priced under $68,750 from September, Hyundai Motor Company Australia said its intention is “…to introduce every one of Hyundai’s new EVs to the local market”.

In the same press release, Hyundai – Australia’s third most popular car brand – confirmed a cheaper version of its Kona Electric small SUV is also headed Down Under within weeks to shore up its ‘leadership’ in the EV space, which is actually dominated by Tesla.

“We intend to expand that leadership with the release of the Standard Range version of Kona Electric in the coming weeks,” said HMCA chief operating officer John Kett.

While it won’t be as affordable as the MG ZS EV, which is pegged at $43,990 drive-away, it will be cheaper than the current Hyundai Kona Electric, which is currently priced from $62,000 plus on-road costs.

So it’s possible the shorter-range version could slide in at under $50,000 – without the NSW subsidies, which for example reduce the price of the MG ZS EV to $39,670 drive-away and the Hyundai IONIQ by about $4500 to $44,500.

Like the new Kia Niro EV (from $62,590 plus ORCs), the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric has 484km range thanks to its 64kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The Standard Range variant due on sale here within weeks should come with a 39kWh battery good for a 305km range. It also drops 50kW of motor power, from 150kW to 100kW, but maintains the same 395Nm of torque.

Expect to see more and more EVs green-lit for the Australian market following the NSW government’s recent incentives, which also comprise infrastructure investments. They follow similar cash incentives for EV buyers in Victoria, and free rego and interest-free loans up to $15,000 for EV buyers in the ACT.

While some car brands have struggled to develop sustainable business cases for EVs in Australia, Hyundai appears to be firing on all cylinders – or should that be electrons? – with fully-electric vehicles expected to be available in all shapes and sizes in the mid-term.

“The Hyundai Motor Group globally will launch 44 electrified vehicles by 2025 – of those, 23 will be full Battery Electric models. Hyundai Australia’s intention is to introduce every one of Hyundai’s new EVs to the local market,” said Kett.

“We are committed to expanding our EV portfolio across Australia, starting with the new IONIQ 5 SUV later this year and shortly followed by the IONIQ 6 Sedan and IONIQ 7 large SUV. Our aim is to be a leading Australian EV provider.” 

The retro-stayed IONIQ 5 electric SUV is due to arrive in Australia from around August this year and the IONIQ 6 large sedan is likely to roll into showrooms from around later 2022, with the IONIQ 7 large SUV likely to arrive a couple of years after that.

All of Hyundai’s dedicated EVs will be marketed under the IONIQ sub-brand and are based on a dedicated E-GMP electric vehicle architecture. The Kona Electric is basically a stop-gap until a replacement small electric SUV wearing IONIQ badges arrives.

Hyundai’s high-performance N brand is also working on its first EV, which will also use the E-GMP platform.

While Hyundai intends to bring every EV in its portfolio to Australia, plug-in hybrid vehicles will be a different story, with a PHEV version of the new Tucson now ruled out for Australia for the time being.

However, Hyundai has confirmed the plugless Santa Fe hybrid will become available in Australia later this year.