The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid 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 Santa Fe PHEV 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
• New Kona Electric
• IONIQ Plug-In
• New Santa Fe Plug-In
• New Tucson Plug-in
• IONIQ 5
• IONIQ 6

The Hyundai Santa Fe sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been available since 2000. The 7-seater SUV is named after Santa Fe, the city is New Mexico, USA. It is the first SUV from Hyundai. Since its launch, the Santa Fe SUV has been very popular with consumers, in particular, in the north American markets. The 2021 model year received a facelift.

For larger families or company-car drivers that need more passenger seats, the 7-seater Hyundai Santa Fe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is an option worth serious consideration. Despite the increase in the availability of electric vehicles (EVs), the availability of seven-seater electric cars still remains limited.

The Santa Fe PHEV pairs a 1.6-litre T-GDi ‘SmartStream’ turbocharged petrol engine with a 66.9 kW electric motor, powered by an onboard EV battery. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 1.6 l/100km for the electric vehicle (EV).

Of course the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, but none as influential as using the pure electric mode. Bottom-line, to increase the fuel economy of the electric vehicle and lower the driving costs, the PHEV should be driven as much as possible on the e-mode.

Given the WLTP certified emission-free electric range is 58 km, and most commutes are short, there is much scope for taking advantage of electric driving to save money. The PHEV has a 13.8 kWh onboard EV battery, which is reasonably standard for a PHEV of this size.

However, expect the real-world electric range to be closer to 50 km. The EV range is impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, load, regenerative braking, road condition, weather, wheel size and a lot more.

Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed recommend the use of a dedicated EV charging station, like easee to charge the EV.

We do not encourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug. Charging the EV using a single-phase EV charger will take up to two hours. Of course, if you top up on a regular basis, the charging time will be faster. The EV incorporates a 3.3 kW AC onboard charger and does not offer DC charging compatibility.

In terms of practicality, the Hyundai EV has much to offer. The interior seven-seater cabin is spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for front and rear seat passengers, to include the third row (access to the third row is easy). The driver seat benefits from good visibility and the driver cockpit is well designed.

Despite the placement of the onboard EV battery, the boot space is decent (571 L), though a little smaller than the conventional petrol variant. The interior quality feels premium and the standard level of technology is decent.

The EV is packed with a host of driving assistance and safety features, to include: highway drive assist (HDA), forward collision-avoidance assist, remote smart park assist, blind spot view monitor and more. The EV has been awarded a Five-Star NCAP Safety Rating.

The performance of the electric SUV is decent. The all-wheel drive Santa Fe PHEV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, also benefiting from instant torque. The drivetrain delivers a maximum power of 265 PS (torque 350 Nm), with a top speed up to 187 km/h.

The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 37g CO2/km. Again, substantially lower than the emissions of the conventional combustion engine variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Hyundai electric car is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
A practical and environment-friendly 7 seater PHEV	Cheaper alternatives available
Spacious interiors	On board charger limited to 3.3 kW AC. DC charging not available
Easy and comfortable to drive	Exterior design may not be to everyones liking

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The Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV SUV (credit: Hyundai)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:	SUV
Engine:	Petrol/ Electric
Available In India:	No

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Trims (1 Option)
Santa Fe PHEV (from ₹ N/A)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 13.8 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. On board charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	37g (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):	1703
Width (mm):	1900
Length (mm):	4785
Wheelbase (mm):	2765
Turning Circle (m):	11.4
Boot Space (L):	571

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1.6 265PS Petrol 4WD
EV Battery Capacity:	13.8 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	58 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	N/A
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	1.6
Charging:	DC charging not available. On board charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs)
Top Speed:	187 km/h
0-100 km/h:	8.8 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	66.9
Max Power (PS):	265
Torque (Nm):	350
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	7
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	2,005 – 2,112
Colours:	7
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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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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