Features
11 Feb 19

Hyundai envisions Zero Emission future 

To promote its EVs, Hyundai is studying the launch an of an EV-based car-sharing system. It is but one of the strategies of the company to confirm and expand its zero-emission ambitions. 

Last year Hyundai conducted a pilot in Amsterdam with 100 Ioniq full-EVs until they reached 100,000 Ioniq car-sharing trips in Amsterdam solely. The project might be similar to other EV car sharing services of OEMs like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot and Renault.

Fleet owner

The idea of Hyundai is to offer the EVs on a subscription-based model, and hence remaining the owner of the vehicles. The riders and drivers would have usership, but no ownership, and pay per distance, time, or energy consumed during the ride, similarly to its cooperation with ride-hailing companies such as Grab and Uber.

Push EV

This model should allow more people to experience driving an EV, without having the high cost – which remains the main limitation for EV sales – and in the end, push Hyundai’s EVs. Recently, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy listed two of Hyundai’s models among the greenest cars, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric Crossover and the Hyundai Kona Electric

Beyond EV

Additionally, Hyundai’s EVs are but a part of the company’s zero emission vision. The company developed and will continue to develop an array of zero-emission powertrains, from hybrid, and full-electric to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. 

Further on, the company is looking to launch a pilot fleet of autonomous robotaxis in South Korea by 2021, and to deploy its fuel cell Nexo and battery-powered Kona crossovers for a driverless taxi service in Sejong, 120km south of Seoul. 

Battery-availability

The big success of the Hyundai EVs comes with a challenge to keep up with the battery supply; which is at the moment still problematic. Therefore, the OEM is looking for new partnerships and hopes to increase the flow of batteries, and hence of its EVs. 

In a nutshell, the zero-emission vision of Hyundai might become more visible with its electric car sharing system, making EVs more widespread and better known. 

Authored by: Fien Van den steen