Hyundai to Launch EREV SUVs in the U.S. with Over 600 Miles of Range

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Hyundai has decided to bring multiple extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) to the U.S. market, starting with the three-row Santa Fe. According to Car and Driver, the new powertrain will feature two electric motors—one at the front and one at the rear—to enable all-wheel drive. Hyundai claims the vehicle will have a combined driving range of over 600 miles, with acceleration performance comparable to that of a pure electric vehicle.

EREVs are already a core category in China. Early plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) added a small electric motor and a tiny battery to a traditional internal combustion engine, serving more as a marketing tactic: competing with Toyota's ubiquitous conventional hybrids produced in the millions, attracting buyers interested in transitioning to electric vehicles without actually driving one, and allowing automakers to cut costs and retail prices by shrinking battery capacity. Audi's first plug-in hybrid, launched a decade ago, offered just 8 miles of pure electric range. Chinese regulators recently excluded plug-in hybrids with a pure electric range of less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from "new energy vehicle" incentives; due to China's more lenient test cycle, the corresponding EPA range is typically about 20% less, or roughly 50 miles, matching the range of the first EREV, the Chevrolet Volt.

Following the policy adjustment, BYD launched extended-range models with a total range of up to 1,300 kilometers. Its gasoline engine is used solely to drive a generator, charging the battery while driving; this differs from most PHEVs, where the engine directly drives the wheels and charges the battery when there is no driving demand.

Genesis, Hyundai's luxury brand, will also benefit from this new strategy. The new GV80 Hybrid was just unveiled last week, and the first Genesis model to adopt EREV technology is likely to be the compact GV70; it is reported that the Genesis version will have a combined range of 640 miles, slightly longer than the Santa Fe. It remains unclear whether the Santa Fe and GV70 EREV models will share the same powertrain. The Santa Fe EREV will be manufactured in the U.S., likely sharing the Alabama assembly line with the gasoline and conventional hybrid versions; the GV70 is currently produced in Ulsan, South Korea.

Hyundai says it will introduce 10 new conventional hybrid models to the U.S. market by 2030, which will account for half of its total sales by then; North American plant capacity will increase by an additional 500,000 units by that time. Hyundai is also reportedly developing pickup trucks and body-on-frame SUVs, including the Boulder concept unveiled at this year's New York Auto Show. The strong sales of the Ford Bronco have prompted automakers like Hyundai to follow suit.

Stellantis is developing its own EREV powertrain, expected to debut in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, followed by the Ram 1500 REV pickup. Ford is reportedly developing an EREV truck to replace the discontinued F-150 Lightning. Volkswagen's new brand, Scout, is also exploring EREV options for its upcoming Traveler SUV and Terra pickup, claiming that reservations strongly favor the plug-in versions.

Whether extended-range electric vehicles can ultimately resolve range anxiety remains to be seen. Many consumers still have reservations about the "plug-in" concept. Some conventional hybrid owners are satisfied with their vehicles' fuel economy, achieving up to 40 miles per gallon in certain conditions; even when told that electric vehicles typically equate to about 120 miles per gallon, they still find it hard to accept a driving style that doesn't involve refueling. It is reported that almost no one considers climate factors when deciding to purchase a vehicle; despite the recurring phenomena of wildfires, marine heatwaves, and melting glaciers, the severity of environmental issues has not yet been widely recognized.