Hyundai is preparing to enter the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) market with two models, including a new Santa Fe EREV that is set to arrive in the U.S. next year with more than 600 miles of driving range.
Hyundai Santa Fe EREV Targets 600+ Miles
The Korean automaker made the announcement during its CEO Investor Day, where it also revealed plans for new performance vehicles and said its upcoming midsize pickup will be built in America.
The Santa Fe EREV will be built in Alabama alongside the regular SUV. Hyundai says its battery will have half the capacity that an all-electric Santa Fe would require, helping limit the impact on available space and vehicle weight.
The Santa Fe EREV will use two electric motors, likely operating across both axles to provide all-wheel drive. In an EREV system, the combustion engine typically acts as a generator to charge the battery rather than mechanically driving the wheels.
Hyundai says the Santa Fe EREV will deliver an “EV-like driving experience and acceleration,” suggesting the model will maintain the driving characteristics expected from an electric vehicle.
Second Hyundai EREV Could Offer More Than 640 Miles
Hyundai also showed what appears to be an EREV version of the Genesis GV80 SUV. The automaker says the model will receive an “all-new high-performance battery” and offer more than 640 miles of range before its gas tank and battery need replenishing.
The announcement places the Genesis model alongside the Santa Fe as Hyundai expands its EREV technology into additional vehicles.
EREV Technology Could Reach Multiple Segments
Hyundai’s presentation of its current and future powertrains indicates that the EREV system will be offered across all market segments, potentially including entry-level models.
Those smaller vehicles would use smaller batteries because they would not require as much range. The approach would allow Hyundai to apply its EREV technology across a broader portion of its lineup.
Hyundai Expands Its Electrified Options
Hyundai’s ability to use a relatively compact battery while targeting competitive range comes from its development of all-electric vehicles, and the automaker’s new EREV models could further advance that technology.
The EREVs would also give buyers another electrified option without requiring them to deal with the range concerns associated with a pure-electric vehicle. A conventional GV80 hybrid was recently launched, adding another electrified choice within the broader lineup.
Scout Motors, backed by Volkswagen, also shifted its focus toward EREVs after recognizing that fully electric vehicles remain difficult for many buyers to consider. Hyundai’s announcement similarly points toward the use of EREV technology as an alternative approach.
By introducing the technology in familiar vehicle packages, Hyundai and Genesis could give more buyers an EV-like driving experience while maintaining flexibility around global emissions requirements. Price, weight and available space will remain critical factors, but Hyundai says its approach is designed to preserve the brand’s standards.
