Genesis to go all-electric by 2025

Genesis says it will become an all-electric brand by 2025 while ramping up to annual global sales of more than 400,000 vehicles.

Hyundai's fledgling luxury brand said in a statement that it would begin to phase out internal combustion engines and shift exclusively to zero-emissions and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains.

Claimed to be an acceleration of earlier plans to electrify Genesis, the 2025 declaration that it will become a zero-emissions brand follows in the tyre tracks of several other brands including Jaguar.

However, unlike Jaguar which plans to axe all combustion-powered cars and SUVs by 2025, the Korean car-maker said it will simply stop introducing new models with petrol or diesel powertrains at that point, suggesting they will live on in existing models long past the middle of this decade.

Along with the transition to EVs, Genesis also confirmed it would bypass both hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The company now says that by 2030 the entire line-up will consist of eight EVs and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) that, combined, will help it achieve global sales of around 400,000 units per year – more than double the 128,365 it shifted in 2020.

Back in April, Genesis confirmed its first EV would be a version of the Genesis G80 sedan. Since then, it has released pictures of its second full-electric model, the battery-powered Genesis GV60 SUV. Both will be on sale in some global markets by the first half of 2022.

“To become carbon neutral, Genesis will establish itself as a 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle brand by 2030,” the company said. “Genesis aims to build an EV line-up consisting of eight models and expects global sales to reach 400,000 units per year.”

During its presentation, Genesis teased two new concepts, one of which is a large pillar-less coupe with suicide doors, rotating seats and advanced mood lighting.

Another sportier coupe with curvy front fenders also starred, plus the car-maker's next-gen premium sound system that's claimed to make the driver and passengers feel like they’re "sitting on stage with the orchestra”.

Global boss of Genesis Jay Chang said the brand would become completely carbon neutral by 2035.

“I am extremely excited to announce the new vision of Genesis for a sustainable future as we open a new chapter in our history,” he said.

“As we continue to design a new dimension of customer experience and build an authentic relationship with our customers, Genesis will take audacious steps to lead the age of electrification into the sustainable future.”