Korean automaker Hyundai Motors has revealed long-term plans to manufacture electric cars in one of its largest markets — India. The company initially plans to import electric cars in India, and eventually turn it into a manufacturing hub.
The company will initially import a ‘knocked-down’ unit of the car, and would likely assemble it at its Chennai-based plant. The car will have a limited launch, across 15 cities only.
Hyundai currently offers an electric SUV — Kona — which can be launched in India as well. Kona is around the same size the compact SUV Creta, already significantly popular in India. Hyundai claims that Kona has a driving range of up to 482 kilometers and has both fast and normal charging options, with the former charging the battery pack up to 80% in just under an hour. The company will offer charging accessories to customers for easy and seamless adoption of the new technology when it launches the electric SUV.
Hyundai, however, will have to keep prices of its offerings in check until the time it starts manufacturing the electric cars in India itself. High import costs and lack of incentives for buyers could derail Hyundai’s plans to compete with the likes of Tata Motors and Mahindra Electric, which already produce electric sedans in India.
Reference- Carwale, Kona website, Cleantechnica