Hyundai’s micro SUV AX1 to launch as an Electric Vehicle
With the popularity of SUVs increasing around the world, manufacturers are now spending more time to develop SUV-inspired small vehicles. Hyundai, the second-largest car manufacturer in India is working on an entry-level SUV. Hyundai is currently testing the car in South Korea and several spy images give us an idea of its looks. Apart from the regular petrol-powered version of the new micro SUV, Hyundai may launch an EV based on it too.
A report on ET Auto suggests that Hyundai is working on low-cost electric vehicles for the Indian market. The first car to be launched as a low-cost EV is likely to be a micro-SUV, which will be launched in the Indian market in 2021. This rendering image shows what the car will look like. The rendering image is based on the spy pictures of the Hyundai AX and is made by Electric Vehicle Web.
The AX is the codename for the upcoming car and it will get a cascade grille like the other Hyundai cars. However, the grille will be solid just like we see in the Kona EV. Since EV do not need air to burn fuel, the front of the most electric vehicles is completely shut. The headlamp design and layout is similar to the Hyundai Venue and the Kona EV, which are already on sale in the Indian market.
Hyundai will position the all-new car below the Hyundai Venue in its SUV-lineup. However, the EV version will become the brand’s most affordable EV when launched. Details like powertrain, range and battery capacity are not known at the moment. As we get closer to the launch date, such details will be given out by Hyundai India.
Hyundai EV in India
Hyundai launched the all-new Kona EV in the Indian market last year. It is priced at Rs 23.76 lakh, which makes it very expensive. The size of the Hyundai Kona is similar to the Creta, in fact, the cabin size is smaller than that of the Creta. With this size, most buyers are not interested to pay a premium amount. It is imported from South Korea as a kit and is assembled in India.
Hyundai AX EV launch
Multiple statements from Hyundai’s top honchos suggest that the first mass-segment EV will launch in 2022. Hyundai plans to launch the production version of the AX, powered by a petrol engine in the Indian market by the end of 2021. It will take on the likes of upcoming Tata HBX, Mahindra KUV100 and Maruti Suzuki Ignis. The EV version of the same car will get a range of about 200 km on a single charge. Also, with the battery prices coming down, Hyundai may put a competitive price tag, which will be under Rs 10 lakh on the electrified version of the EV.
Currently, the Kona EV is doing decent numbers on the sales chart. However, it is definitely not getting the numbers expected by the manufacturer. The launch of a more affordable EV will ensure that cleaner vehicles are available to the majority of the people. Also, with government schemes like FAME, the sales of EVs will boost in the future.
Source : cartoq
