The All-Electric Hyundai Kona SUV: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The Hyundai Kona Electric SUV

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The Hyundai Motor Company, is a South Korean automotive manufacturer with a strong global presence (up to 200 countries). The company also has a stake in another leading South Korean automotive company, Kia Corporation. Hyundai has an annual production capacity of over 1.6 million units. The company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs):

• IONIQ Electric
• Kona Electric
• IONIQ Plug-In
• New Santa Fe Plug-In
• New Tucson Plug-in
• IONIQ 5
• IONIQ 6

The pure electric Hyundai Kona Electric EV was launched in South Korea in 2018. The Kona has also been available as an internal combustion engine (ICE) variant since 2017. The vehicle is named after the western district of the island of Hawaii.

The Kona e-SUV is the second pure electric car from the South Korean manufacturer. The first was the all-electric IONIQ EV. The upgraded New Kona Electric SUV EV is a practical and affordable electric vehicle (EV), appropriate for families keen to migrate to zero-emission electric driving, but at prices that are affordable.

The e-SUV is practical and versatile with an excellent zero-emission range. The KONA SUV EV is available in two EV battery sizes (39.2 kWh and 64 kWh), with a WLTP range up to 482 km for the larger lithium-ion EV battery. The 39.2 kWh EV battery offers a zero-emission range up to 304 km (WLTP). The larger EV battery is not available in India.

Of course, the real-world electric range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, use of regenerative braking, onboard services used, passenger load, tyre size etc. For the 39.2 kWh option, expect a real-world e-range closer to 255 km and for the 64 kWh, a 400 km electric range will be more realistic.

In any case, both options offer ample range for most needs, to include longer motorway journeys. Also do keep in mind that the average distance travelled by the majority of motorists in a day is a mere 50 km. The compact crossover electric SUV is more than appropriate for most family requirements, to include, school runs, family outings, weekend trips, grocery shopping and a lot more!

The electric vehicle (EV) also has a 10.5 kW AC (3-phase) onboard charger as standard and is capable of DC charging up to 100 kW. Most homes in India are powered by a single-phase (7.4 kW) power supply. The 39.2 kWh EV battery can be fully charged via a single-phase EV charger in 6 hours and the 64 kWh EV battery will take 9 hours and 15 minutes.

For those with access to three-phase EV charging at home or at a public charging station, the 39.2 kWh battery can be fully charged in 4 hours and 20 minutes, while the 64 kWh battery can be fully charged in 6 hours and 50 minutes. DC charging will certainly be much faster and the 39.2 kWh can be charged up to 80% in 64 minutes (50 kW DC), while the 64 kWh can achieve 80% charge in 47 minutes (100 kW DC).

The Kona electric family car is available only in front-wheel drive (FWD). The pure electric Kona can achieve 0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds for the smaller EV battery. The 64 kWh variant can achieve 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The top speed of the top of the range variant is 167 km/h.

Standard features in the electric vehicle include: regenerative brake shift paddles, smart key – keyless entry, rear camera and guidance system, 10.25″ screen navigation, driver’s supervision instrument cluster with TFT display (10.25″), forward collision warning (FCW), lane follow assist (LFA), lane keep assist (LKA) and more.

In terms of practicality, the boot space (332 L) is not as large compared to rivals. The interior cabin has adequate space but not spacious. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!

The Hyundai Kona electric car is available in India.

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PROS	CONS
An affordable compact family electric SUV	Not available as an all-wheel drive
Good EV range	Boot is smaller than rivals
Up to 100 kW DC and three-phase onboard charger as standard	Heat pump does not come as standard

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The Hyundai Kona Electric SUV (credit: Hyundai)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Body Type:	SUV (Compact Crossover)
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	Yes

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Trims (2 Options)
Hyundai Kona Electric Premium (from Rs 23.84 Lakhs)
Hyundai Kona Electric Premium Dual Tone (from Rs 24.02 Lakhs)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in two battery sizes: 39.2 kWh/ 64 kWh
Charging:	Up to 100 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 47 mins). Onboard charger: 10.5 kW AC
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1570
Width (mm):	1800
Length (mm):	4205
Wheelbase (mm):	2600
Turning Circle (m):	10.60
Boot Space (L):	332

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KONA Electric (39.2 kWh)
EV Battery Capacity:	39.2 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	304 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	14.3
Charging:	50 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 64 mins). Onboard charger: 10.5 kW AC (0%-100%: 4 hrs and 20 mins)
Top Speed:	155 km/h
0-100 km/h:	9.9 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	136
Max Power (PS):	100
Torque (Nm):	395
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,535 – 1,593
Colours:	10
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

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KONA Electric (64 kWh)
EV Battery Capacity:	64 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	482 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	14.7
Charging:	100 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 47 mins). Onboard charger: 10.5 kW AC (0%-100%: 6 hrs and 50 mins)
Top Speed:	167 km/h
0-100 km/h:	7.9 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	204
Max Power (PS):	150
Torque (Nm):	395
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,658 – 1,743
Colours:	10
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

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Benefits Of Electric Driving

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The benefits of electric driving are many, with significant advantageous over petrol and diesel internal combustion (ICE) engine cars, for all stakeholders. These benefits include:

• Lower to zero-tailpipe emissions
• Lower running costs
• Lower taxes
• Lower maintenance costs
• Lower noise pollution
• Convenience of charging at home
• Smoother drive
• Instant torque for acceleration
• Lower environmental impact

Below we have highlighted three of our favourite benefits of owning and driving an electric car.

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Improved Air Quality

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) or all-electric vehicles do not have tailpipe pollution. In fact, such electric cars do not even have a tailpipe! Zero-emission electric driving has a real and immediate impact on local air quality i.e. improving air quality. While, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have reduced tailpipe pollution compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. The sooner we migrate to electric driving in India, the sooner we can improve air quality for all our cities, towns and villages. Lower air pollution will also result in a reduced number of health issues arising from inhaling toxic pollutants.

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Lower Maintenance & Running Costs

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are cheaper to maintain and drive. Pure electric cars have far fewer moving parts compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The fewer the moving parts, the lower the probability of repair and maintenance. Moreover charging an electric car can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres! A full charge can cost between Rs 100 and Rs 200. Significantly cheaper than filling a tank of petrol or diesel!

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Lower Noise Pollution

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Yes, we in India are far more resilient to noise pollution than those living in the western world. We have certainly got used to horns blaring and engines roaring, day and night. But that does not mean we enjoy or welcome noise pollution. In fact, quite the opposite!

Though much focus has been on the advantageous of ‘air quality’ with an electric car, just as important, is the benefit of lower noise pollution. In fact, pure electric cars are silent, with an inbuilt ‘sound booster’ to increase road safety for pedestrians. As our cities in India and across the world become densely populated with cars, the significant negative impact on ‘quality of life’ as a result of increased noise pollution from petrol and diesel vehicles, is just as dangerous, as increased air pollution. Battery-electric cars are a perfect solution in reducing noise pollution and increasing the living standards for us all. Of course, one can only hope that the self inflicted ‘horn blaring’ pollution will also reduce!

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Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

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“Electric vehicle” is an umbrella term, and a broad one at that. There are a number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs), each with its distinct characteristics and advantages. These include:

• BEVs: Battery-electric vehicles (pure electric)
• PHEVs: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) combined)
• MHEVs: Mild hybrid electric vehicles (internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) along with regenerative braking)
• FCEVs: Fuel cell electric vehicle (electric with hydrogen as fuel)

The above “types” are powered either entirely or partially by electric energy and have different environmental impacts.

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Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as pure electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity (i.e. the vehicle does not have a conventional internal combustion engine). BEVs have zero-tailpipe emissions and help improve local air quality.

BEVs are also very economical to drive. A BEV can cost as little as Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive. Examples of best-selling EVs include, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 and the all-electric Renault Zoe. A BEV is charged by plugging in the electric vehicle to a dedicated electric car charging station (home or public charging stations). BEVs are well suited for those living in towns, cities and urban centres. Of course, battery-electric vehicles are also suitable for those living in rural settings.

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Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) differ from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), in that, PHEVs use both a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric engine for propulsion. Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of electric driving and internal combustion engine driving.

On shorter distances, the PHEV uses the electric mode to drive emission-free, using the on-board EV battery and regenerative braking. For longer distances, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles switches to using the internal combustion engine. With a PHEV, the vehicle can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive on e-mode, without any tailpipe pollution, and also be driven long-distances, without the fear of range anxiety! Most PHEVs have an EV battery of up to 15 kWh and can achieve a zero-emission electric range of up to 50 kilometres. No wonder PHEVs are fast becoming popular globally, with much potential or India. Like a BEV, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged by using an external power source (EV charging point) for charging.

PHEVs are suitable for those that drive long-distances on a regular basis but want to lower the negative environmental impact from tailpipe pollution. PHEVs are also suitable for those individuals and families that are seeking to save money by taking advantage of electric driving. The Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf 8 are good examples of PHEVs.

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Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)

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Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are a limited form of electric driving. These vehicles also use hybrid technologies (electric driving and internal combustion engine), but the EV battery is much smaller than a BEV or PHEV. Moreover, in a mild hybrid, the EV battery cannot be charged via an external source (i.e. EV charging station). In a MHEV, the battery is charged by capturing the energy released during braking, a process known as regenerative braking. MHEVs have lower tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to own, run and maintain than petrol and diesel cars. MHEVs are a better option than a petrol or diesel car, but not as good an option as a BEV or PHEV. Mild hybrids are well suited for those living in regions with limited charging infrastructure. Again, MHEVs have great potential in India, given the limited public EV charging infrastructure.

The Toyota Prius is a good example of a mild hybrid electric vehicle.

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also called hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen to generate the electricity needed to power the electric vehicle. The fuel cell generates electricity and pure water vapour that can escape via the tailpipe. It is capable of generating electricity as long as there is a steady supply of hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen at purpose built filling stations. Filling an FEC takes no more than five minutes.

FCEVs have a range of about 500 kilometers or more between refueling. Today, the only and major limitation is the very limited hydrogen refuelling station network globally. The Toyota Mirai FCEV is a good example of this type of EV.

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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