Norway is at the forefront of electric vehicle usage with the largest per capita Electric Vehicle adoption rate which is already putting the squeeze on the local oil industry. That’s why it’s not surprising to see global EVs debut there early and because of that, we now have a lot more information on the enticing Hyundai Kona EV
We know the Kona EV is coming to the US late this year, likely to debut in California and subsequently other ZEV states. But we don’t know the price points yet. Luckily, local media is reporting that in Norway, the 64kWh is going to be 325.900 kr. At today’s exchange rate, that translates to $39,852. But it isn’t that simple.
As a comparison, the Volkswagon e-Golf gets a base price of $30,500 in the US and 244,000kr in Norway but directly 249,000 kr which is very close. So that means the 64kWh is unlikely to be priced similar to the IONIQ electric’s $30,000 base price. However it does mean that it will likely to be base priced at or under $40,000 – and that is for the 64kWh version.
Hyundai has said it expects to offer a 40kWh Kona which may cost closer to the $30-$35,000 price point in the US when it is offered at the end of this year. At 2/3rds the 250 mile range ~ 166 miles, this could be a very hot selling EV.
Kia’s Niro is expected to have a similar price, form factor specs and range when it hits the market at the end of the year.
We learned quite a bit about the Kona from the New York Auto Show, but today’s news has some interesting tidbits.
Range
While in the US, Hyundai has been touting 250 EPA miles, the press release states that the Kona is supposed to get 482 kilometers (WLTP) of range which equates to just under 300 miles. WLTP replaced the wildly optimistic NEDC standard but it still seems high as of this writing.
Charging speeds
At your home, the Kona will charge off of 240V AC at 7.2KW. That means its internal inverter tops out at around 32 amps.
The Hyundai IONIQ surprisingly was able to charge beyond the standard 50kW up to 70kW via CCS. The Kona takes it a step further to 70kW. That equates to a 0-80% charge in 54 minutes.
The Chevy Bolt tops out at about 54kW on a CCS charger but can get close to 70kW in regen braking and claims 160 miles or 67% of charge in 1 hour of fast charging.
Most current US CCS charging stations max out at 50kW or less so to see these higher speeds, you’ll need to wait for the newer generation of 100kW charging stations.
Engine power
The long-range Kona will have a similar amount of horsepower as the Chevy Bolt at just over 200hp or 150kW which should propel the heavier car to 60mph in around 7.6 seconds. Compare that to the IONIQ which with 88kW or 118hp engine.
The torque specs out at a respectable 395 Nm. Don’t expect to tow your yacht with the Kona.
Deliveries
Kona production has already started and the first customers should start receiving them in July. Hyundai is limiting deliveries to 2500 in Norway this year, a far cry from the 20,000 people on the waiting list. IT somehow expects for new buyers to get their Konas in 2019 however.
Speaking of EV batteries, Hyundai is expected to begin production of its own EV batteries in the coming years according to a report from Theinvestor.co.kr.
The Korean auto giant that has been hiring several researchers on battery development and production since early this year plans to set up the lines within its research lab in Euiwang, Gyeonggi Province. It has also recently placed orders with multiple equipment makers.
Hyundai currently uses batteries from LG Chem and SK Innovation in their IONIQ EVs and Hybrids but could see initial battery production in the sub 1GWh range – enough to power a couple hundred cars. In about two years, the batteries could go mass market according to the report. A Hyundai spokesperson confirmed the carmaker is building battery production lines to The Investor but denied any plans to use the batteries for its own vehicles.
Electrek’s Take:
Hyundai is a force to be reckoned with in the low-cost, high-efficiency EV space. Its IONIQ is still the champ when it comes to efficiency exacting 126 miles of range out of a 24kWh battery pack or an EPA 136 eMPG. If it can further reduce costs by building its batteries in-house, it can start to sell EVs at the same price points as its equivalent ICE and hybrid vehicles.
Also, building a huge battery factory indicates that Hyundai believes that EVs are here to stay and the market is likely to expand rapidly. It doesn’t want to be beholden to SK or LG for a core technology used in its vehicles.
But if we’re going to keep it real, Hyundai isn’t producing enough EVs to make a difference. In the example above, 20,000 Norwegians have reserved the Kona and Hyundai only plans on delivering 2500 this year.
In the US, the Kona is only going to show up in ZEV states and if the IONIQ is anything to go by, it will even be hard to find in California – and that’s with almost no marketing budget.
Specs and local press release translated:
This costs a brand new Hyundai KONA electric
We in Hyundai Motor Norway have experienced the interest of time for a new car model with brand new KONA electric. Even in March, the stakeholder list had to be closed after passing 20,000 people. Now prices are clear and they become very competitive.
“We are at an extremely attractive price level, which means that customers get incredible equipment, advanced technology and great range at a very reasonable price,” says Christian Stenbo, Marketing Director in Hyundai Motor Norway, and continues:
“Many customers have been waiting for these prices a long time and the same we have. It is therefore a great pleasure to be able to present this today. We have been running as open a process as possible since we first opened our stakeholder list June 13 last year and have mostly sent out a newsletter this month. We have received many positive feedback, but we must admit that waiting for price has been a bit challenging. It makes the day extra happy.
Brand new Hyundai KONA electric is the year’s most important car news from Hyundai, and is a model that has put record of advance interest. By combining two of the hottest trends in the market – long range and compact SUV electric vehicles – Hyundai has created a car that is exactly what Norwegians want.
– With a battery of 64 kWt, the Hyundai KONA electric has a range that, after the strict new EU cycle, WLTP is close to 250 miles. In other words, this is the first affordable car in the market, where you can realistically expect a very long full-range range, says Stenbo in Hyundai Motor Norway.
SIMPLE AND CLEAR
We in Hyundai Motor Norway have decided to offer KONA electric only with the largest battery pack and engine in Norway. With a very long range of 482 kilometers (WLTP), a powerful 204 hp electric motor and a large 64 kW lithium-ion polymer battery, KONA Electric brings a whole new generation of full-electric mobility to its customers. With a highly advanced driveline, a refined chassis and solid crossover features, KONA electric offers the Norwegian customers the wishes.
“We have learned a lot of the demand for IONIQ electric, and therefore want to offer as simple and customer-friendly model selection as possible,” says product manager Øyvind L. Knudsen in Hyundai Motor Norway.
– In the case of IONIQ, very many choose a fully-featured version of leather interior, and we see that the proportion of the lowest equipment level is negligible.
Thus, the car is offered only in a fully equipped equipment level; KONA Electrical Technology. All you need to decide is whether you want leather interior with ventilated seats or the combination of leather interior with ventilated seats and sunroof.
KONA Electric Technology includes virtually all equipment available on modern cars, and the car includes, as standard, the following:
- Head-up display with speed, navigation and multimedia information
- SmartSense (Safety Pack) with FCA (Automatic Emergency Brake, Pedestrian Detection)
- Front impact Alerts
- Active file holder
- fatigue Alerts
- Adaptive smart cruise control
- Full-LED headlights with automatic headlight dimming
- Smart sign reader
- Heat pump
- battery heater
- Heated leather steering wheel
- Heated front seat
- Automatic air conditioner with “Driver Only” function
- 10-way electric adjustable driver and passenger seats
- BLIS
- Ryggarar for crossing traffic
- Parking sensors front and rear
- Back camera with dynamic guides
- 8 ” infotainment with Live Services, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- KRELL premium audio system with 8 speakers including subwoofer and external amplifier
- Navigation with DAB + radio and Bluetooth handsfree
- Smart Key-keyless lock and boot
- Wireless charger for mobile phone
- Privacy glass (tinted rows from the B-post)
- 64 kWt Lithium-ion polymer battery with active liquid cooling
- Super Vision instrument display (7.0 “TFT color LCD)
- 17 “aerodynamic light metal rims
In addition, the car gets equipment like smart regeneration, which, using radar, automatically uses regeneration to slow down and adjust the car’s speed to traffic in front. Together with IONIQ electric, KONA electric is also the only car in its price range that can charge up to 100 kW (DC). Charging takes place via the adopted European Standard Type2 CCS Combo.
All you have to do is choose if you want:
- Leather interior with ventilated front seat
or
- Leather interior with ventilated front seat, combined with sunroof
In addition, leather interior vehicles can upgrade dashboards with soft materials and leather doors in doors, and cars with sun loungers also receive LED interior lighting.
In other words, the KONA electric imported by Hyundai Motor Norway is adapted to Norwegian customers’ needs, with a very high level of equipment as standard.
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The prices are as follows:
- KONA electric 64 kWt Technology 325 900 kroner
- KONA electric 64 kWt Technology with leather interior 335 900 kroner
- KONA electric 64 kWt Technology with sun roof and leather interior 345 900 kroner
- Metallic paint costs 4 900 kroner.
Prices include guiding shipping and delivery costs of NOK 10,900, delivered to Drammen.
“With these prices we place ourselves very well compared to our competitors. Hyundai KONA electric has the longest range of any electric car in its segment, and the car has an equipment level only premium cars can match. This is one of the most advanced cars on the market, and we are very pleased with the prices we present today, “Knudsen said.
The first customer cars are expected to Norway in July.
Customers who have announced prior interest will be given the opportunity to book their car as of tomorrow, June 1, 2018. These will be able to book a car exclusively until June 17, 2018. All details about this will be communicated through a own newsletter to these customers. Then it will open for regular orders from July 2nd.
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