Hyundai Get Their BlueOn with New Electric Model

Hyundai have jumped on the Electric Vehicle bandwagon in a move they say responds to consumer’s rising demands for eco-friendly cars. They join Japanese competitors Nissan, Honda and Toyota who have already released new electric models such as the Nissan Leaf.

First shown as a prototype at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show as the Electric i10, the Hyundai BlueOn EV is hailed as South Korea’s first full-speed electric car. Lee Myung-bak, the South Korean President, was the first to test -drive the eco-friendly car at an unveiling ceremony at the presidential Blue House.

The Hyundai BlueOn is powered by a 16.4 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack that is capable of 87 miles on a single charge, slightly less than the new Nissan LEAF which runs on a 24 kWh lithium-polymer battery. A Virtual Engine Sound System, designed to warn pedestrians of the cars presence, has also been fitted.

A two-year pilot program begins at the G20 economic summit in October where 30 of the new EVs will be given to South Korean government agencies. Hyundai have said if the trial is successful they will produce a further 2,500 units by the end of 2012.

Hyundai have invested £22 million of their £17.5 billion annual revenue in the BlueOn project. But will Hyundai fans, who may have bought a used Hyundai i10 in London , be put off by the inevitably hefty price tag?