Hyundai has delivered a pleasant surprise to American drivers wanting to go electric with the news that pricing for its all-electric sub-compact SUV, the 2019 Kona Electric, will come under the $US30,000 mark.
The much-anticipated crossover is the first electric model in its class in the US, will cost $US29,995 including delivery after a $US7,500 federal tax credit is applied, and will be available for purchase from early 2019. Without the tax credit, the price if $US36,450.
Available at first in California, the base SEL model with 150kW electric powertrain will be followed by additional trims (the Hyundai USA website notes a “Limited” and “Ultimate” edition), pricing for which has not yet been announced.
Once the model has proved itself in California (highly likely given the state’s leading position in the EV market in the US, where half of the country’s electric vehicles are registered), Hyundai then plan to expand sales to include other progressive “ZEV-focussed” states in western and northeastern USA.
With an estimated EPA range of 258 miles (415km) range, VP of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning for Hyundai Motor America Mike O’Brien says that the CUV is aimed at customers wanting to combine eco-friendly transport with an active lifestyle.
“We’re confident it will set new standards for the electric-propelled compact CUV segment, with outstanding value, range flexibility, appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading available safety features,” he said in a statement.
The EPA range of the model that Californians can expect to buy indicates a 64kWh battery – the same model that Hyundai has said will be available in Australia, as early as February or March next year, as The Driven was told November’s AEVA conference in Brisbane.
It is a one up on its stablemate, the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq with 280km range which was recently launched here in Australia and is on sale from $A44,990.
However, although Hyundai is still keeping quiet about official pricing in Australia, The Driven has been told it is expected to be $A53,000-$A55,000 before on road costs.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.