South Korean automotive manufacturer Hyundai Motor has begun production and started delivery of the Kona Electric in Europe at its Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) manufacturing plant in Nošovice, Czech Republic.
The Nošovice manufacturing plant will be building the more powerful of the two Hyundai Kona Electric versions, which boasts a 150kW electric motor and a 64kWh battery, yielding a driving range of 484 kilometres.
The Kona Electric is the first new-generation electric car to be produced for European markets in the Czech Republic and Hyundai hope that additional production in Europe will “significantly” reduce delivery times of the Kona Electric for its European customers.
Together with Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in Korea, the company hopes to more than triple the availability of the Kona Electric in 2020 for its European customers, as compared to 2019.
“Expanding production of the Kona Electric is an important step to meet the growing European demand for electric cars,” said Dong Woo Choi, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe HQ.
“Reducing the distance the vehicle has to travel between the manufacturing plant and the consumer will shorten delivery times. We are also further strengthening Europe as manufacturing location by producing future mobility solutions on site.
According to a January statement, Hyundai is looking to ship over 80,000 units of zero-emission vehicles to European customers, including the Kona Electric – with 30,000 units per year expected – as well as the IONIQ Electric, and the NEXO fuel cell car.
“We are listening to our customers and have made this decision in order to meet the growing demand for our electric vehicles,” said Woo Choi in January.
“With more and more people becoming concerned about the impact of their choice of car on the environment, we see a huge potential for EVs in the European market. This reflects our progressive mindset and will reinforce our position as a leader in future mobility.”
Already the first model on sale in Europe to offer a popular SUV body type combined with a long-range electrified powertrain, the Kona Electric now also includes faster three-phase charging in many European markets, new connectivity features, and a new optional navigation system with a 10.25-inch centre display.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.