Budget EV Concept From Hyundai To Debut At Auto Expo 2022

• Hyundai pioneered long-range EVs in India with the Kona Electric.
• The all-electric SUV is priced from Rs Rs 23.71 lakh.
• Hyundai is aiming to set up an EV production hub in India.

Just as the dust from Auto Expo 2020 settles, we now have an idea of what will arguably be one of the main attractions at Auto Expo 2022! Hyundai has revealed that it is working on a budget-oriented, mass-market EV that will debut in concept attire at the next Auto Expo. 

According to a report, Hyundai has serious plans to make its presence felt in the budget EV space in India. The Korean carmaker pioneered long-range EVs in India with the Kona Electric. But being a CKD, it is priced around Rs 23 lakh. While other carmakers like Tata and Mahindra may be slightly ahead of the game with budget EV offerings, Hyundai has now started working towards its goal of achieving 90 per cent localisation of EVs.

For this, the carmaker has approached battery suppliers such as  LG Chem for localising battery production in India. Hyundai is currently localising some plastic and interior parts for the Kona with the aim to step up the whole process in order to make EVs more affordable for the masses. Meanwhile, Hyundai India along with the parent company’s Namyang R&D Centre in South Korea have started a feasibility study to gauge the market’s perception towards EVs and whether they will be ready to shell out extra for EVs over their ICE counterparts. 

We can expect a new mass-market EV in the next two to three years while a concept will most likely be showcased in 2022 at the expo. If the feasibility study turns out to be productive, Hyundai will establish a state-of-the-art EV manufacturing hub with high levels of localisation right here in India. 

Although the Kona Electric was the first long-range EV in India, it was soon followed by the MG ZS EV and the much more affordable Nexon EV. Maruti Suzuki, too, is actively working towards making affordable EVs and showcased the Futuro-e concept at the recently concluded Auto Expo 2020.

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