Hyundai sets range record for EVs

Hyundai is celebrating after three Kona Electrics travelled more than 1,000-kilometres each to set a new range record.

The small SUVs travelled 1,018.7km, 1,024.1km and 1,026km on a single battery charge over the course of three days at a German racetrack.

Each distance for the electric vehicles (EVs) is also a record in terms of 64kWh battery capacity. The power consumption figures of 6.28kWh, 6.25kWh and 6.24kWh per 100km were below the standard 14.7kWh per 100km determined by the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

The cars used in the test were factory-spec and unmodified, and air conditioning and entertainment systems remained off, with available power used solely for propulsion. Only the daytime running lights stayed on to comply with the legal requirements for road traffic.

The nearly 35-hour test took place at Lausitzring, a racetrack in northeast Germany. Dekra, a European vehicle inspection company, monitored the test process and vehicles, recording 36 driver changes.

Hyundai says the test drivers recorded an average speed between 29kph and 31kph to reflect typical inner-city traffic speeds in Europe. On the third day, the vehicles managed to cover more than 20km with only three per cent residual capacity. 

Michael Cole, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor Europe, says the challenge shows Kona Electric “offers outstanding electric performance, efficiency and battery range”

Hyundai recently revealed plans to launch its new Ioniq brand dedicated to battery electric vehicles, with three new EV models to be launched over the next four years.

It also has ambitions to sell one million EVs and take a 10 per cent market share by 2025.