After keen interest in Korea and Europe last year, pricing for the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is now available in the US. With a base price of just $29,500 USD (minus applicable incentives, plus $835 freight), it represents a very affordable green alternative to a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. The Ioniq Electric poses a threat to other electric vehicles (EVs) such as the Nissan LEAF, Chevy Bolt, VW e-Golf and the upcoming Tesla Model 3.
The Ioniq Electric comes with only one battery option: a 28 kWh lithium-ion polymer unit. An EPA-rated range of 124 miles (200 km) bestows the Ioniq with the honor of most energy-efficient all-electric vehicle currently on sale (of 2017 models tested to date).
The battery powers an 88 kW front mounted electric motor, which in sport mode will propel the car to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a claimed 9.9 seconds. The Ioniq’s top speed is around 103 mph (166 km/h) which is more than fast enough for most. The battery can be fully charged at home in about 12 hours using a conventional 240 V socket, or in around 4 hours using Hyundai’s recommended Pod Point home charger.
“Our focus was on developing a great compact car that happens to be electrified,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of product planning for Hyundai Motor America. “There were around 1.1 million buyers who shopped for an EV last year, but because of cost or maintenance or durability…or that they felt the car was too underpowered…they didn’t buy one. We are offering a no-excuse electrified vehicle that measures up to compact vehicles in the segment.”
Source/s: Electric Cars Report, Wards Auto, evo.