Hyundai to launch extended-range EVs in US
Hyundai will introduce extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) to the US market, starting with a three-row Santa Fe model.
Hyundai will launch extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) in the United States, beginning with a three-row Santa Fe model. The new Santa Fe EREV powertrain will use two electric motors for all-wheel drive and deliver a combined range exceeding 600 miles.
This move follows regulatory changes in China that have made EREVs a core vehicle category. Chinese policy now excludes plug-in hybrids with less than 62 miles of battery-only range from "new energy vehicle" incentives. In response, manufacturers like BYD have developed models capable of over 1,300 km of total range.
The defining feature of an EREV is that its gasoline engine acts solely as a generator to charge the battery while driving, unlike many plug-in hybrids where the engine can directly power the wheels.
Hyundai's EREV Plans
The upcoming Santa Fe EREV will be built in the United States, likely on the same Alabama assembly line as its gasoline and hybrid counterparts. Hyundai's luxury division, Genesis, will also adopt the technology, with the compact GV70 expected to be the first Genesis model to receive an EREV powertrain. The Genesis version is said to have a slightly longer combined range of 640 miles, though it is unclear if it will share the Santa Fe's powertrain.
The GV70 is currently manufactured in Ulsan, South Korea.
Hyundai reportedly has broader vehicle plans, including work on pickup truck and body-on-frame SUV models, such as the Boulder concept shown at the New York Auto Show. The company aims to introduce 10 new conventional hybrid models in the US by 2030, when it expects hybrids to represent half of its total sales. Hyundai also states its North American production capacity will expand by 500,000 units by 2030.
Competitive Landscape
Other automakers are developing similar extended-range systems. Stellantis has an EREV powertrain in development, expected to debut in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer followed by the Ram 1500 REV pickup. Ford is reportedly working on an EREV truck to replace the discontinued F-150 Lightning.
Scout, Volkswagen's new division, is exploring EREV options for its upcoming Traveler SUV and Terra pickup, claiming pre-orders are trending strongly toward the plug-in variant.
The industry shift toward EREVs addresses persistent consumer range anxiety. Hyundai hopes its claimed 600-mile range will alleviate those fears. However, the source notes that for some drivers, the very idea of plugging in a vehicle remains a significant barrier, even when compared to the fuel savings of electric driving.
Source: CleanTechnica