Join day by day information updates from CleanTechnica on e-mail. Or observe us on Google Information!

The opposite day, I obtained an e-mail from Jock Gill, my school classmate who was one of many leaders for the group photo voltaic undertaking in his dwelling city of Peacham, Vermont. Jock has been leasing a Chevy Bolt, however his lease is almost up and he has been casting about for a automobile to interchange it. He informed me the Hyundai Kona Electrical is that automobile.

“In case your Chevy Bolt lease is coming to an finish and also you need to proceed driving an EV, GM doesn’t have an acceptable substitute but. A pal in Vermont had this downside final December and prompt I take a look at the Hyundai Kona Restricted. It has higher options than my 2021 Bolt reminiscent of sooner charging, a warmth pump for heating and cooling, OTA updates, solar roof, superior cruise management, and extra.”

Jock discovered the Hyundai seller in Burlington, Vermont to be very useful. “They may keep in mind each potential incentive supplied to Vermonters for going electrical, together with handing over an outdated ICE clunker. The incentives can simply attain $12,000 or extra, in  some instances, a very good bit extra. I used to be not pondering Kona, however the bang for the buck is strong. It’s primarily a Teslaesque Bolt substitute.”

My spouse and I personal a Chevy Bolt and discover it fairly nice to drive, though its gradual charging is a PITA on journeys (the utmost DC charging charge for the Bolt is a pitiful 55 kW.) Or course, the Bolt traces its structure again nearly a decade. One would hope advances in charging expertise have been made since then. Hyundai says the brand new automobile can use a 400 volt DC quick charger, however neglects to say precisely how a lot energy it could settle for. As an alternative it quotes a ten% to 80% charging time of 43 minutes.

Famous EV authority Bjorn Borg says the 2024 Kona Electrical he drove on a 1000 km take a look at drive  was in a position to cost at between 90 and 100 kW as much as 70% SOC, at which level charging continued at 50 kW. That’s significantly higher than the Bolt, however not the blazing pace potential with different costlier electrical vehicles accessible at present. The brand new automobile can also be in a position to cost on AC at 11 kW versus the 7.2 kW of the primary era Kona Electrical. Based on Enel X, that distinction cuts AC charging occasions in half.

Final fall, my colleague Kyle Subject obtained to drive the second era Hyundai Kona Electrical at a press occasion outdoors Baltimore, Maryland and was impressed with the automobile. It’s longer, taller, and wider than its predecessor, which implies more room inside for heads, elbows and hips. There’s a tiny frunk (lower than 1 cubic foot) that’s simply large enough to carry the AC charging cable. A pleasant function of the automobile is that it helps automobile to load operation, which implies it could function energy instruments, air compressors, lights, and different home equipment when the automobile is parked.

What impressed Kyle essentially the most was how quiet the automobile was whereas driving, with solely tire noise audible contained in the passenger compartment. Hyundai nonetheless makes a gasoline-powered model of the Kona, nevertheless it has reversed the same old improvement course of. As an alternative of beginning with a platform designed round an inner combustion engine after which making the battery and drivetrain match, it designed the automobile to be a battery-electric automobile first after which reverse engineered to make the standard engine and transmission powertrain match.

Hyundai Kona Electrical Costs & Specs

The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical is available in three trim ranges — SE, SEL, and Restricted. The SE begins at $34,050. The SEL provides heated seats and another goodies and begins at $38,050. The Restricted version lists for $42,420. All variations include a single electrical motor driving the entrance wheels. The usual motor is rated at 133 hp (100 kW) however a 201 hp (150 kW) motor is an possibility.

The Kona Electrical gives a selection of two batteries. The 48.6 kWh battery has an estimated vary of 200 miles, whereas the 64.8 kWh battery has an estimated vary of 260 miles. It’s fascinating that the automobile with the bigger battery is sort of equivalent to the Chevy Bolt by way of battery dimension and vary, so individuals like Jock Gill who want to exchange their Bolt with a brand new EV will really feel proper at dwelling.

When Automobile and Driver examined the automobile, they mentioned, “We had an opportunity to briefly take a look at drive the extra highly effective of the 2 in Europe. Acceleration felt perky however the Kona Electrical lacks the neck-snapping satisfaction we’ve come to anticipate from different EVs.” [Note: The Bolt has a 201 hp motor — exactly the same as the optional motor fitted to the Kona Electric. That’s another reason Bolt drivers should feel right at home in this latest offering from Hyundai.] “Dealing with is competent however the Kona’s clearly been tuned with consolation in thoughts, and the quiet operation of the electrical powertrain and the remoted cabin make it an easy-going commuter. ”

The Kona Electrical Has Loads Of Goodies

Over-the-air updates are actually normal on all Kona Electrical fashions. Different options like emergency ahead braking and blind spot detection are both normal or accessible. See seller for particulars. The brand new automobile options two 12.3-inch show screens — one for instrumentation and the opposite an infotainment gadget that works with both Apple Automobile Play or Android Auto. Hyundai has retained some conventional buttons for routine capabilities like working the heating and air con techniques, bucking the development began by Tesla to place all of the controls potential on the touchscreen.

One intangible profit is the well-known Hyundai guarantee. The excellent guarantee is for five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain, together with the battery, is roofed by a 10-year, 100,000-mile manufacturing facility guarantee, and all scheduled upkeep is free for the primary three years.

Hyundai now consists of its i Pedal system that makes one pedal driving potential. The system takes into consideration how far-off the automobile in entrance is and adjusts the quantity of regenerative braking accordingly.

The Takeaway

The Hyundai Kona Electrical is a reasonably good automobile, however it isn’t eligible for the federal tax credit score/rebate if bought outright. However due to the vagaries of the Treasury Division rules that implement the IRA, for those who lease the automobile, you may get the benefit of the rebate, a scenario that drove Senator Joe Manchin to distraction.

What’s startling is that Chevrolet has no straight comparable automobile for its Bolt drivers who’re coming to the tip of their lease to transition to. That is an unforced error of epic proportions. Buyer retention is likely one of the highest priorities of any profitable enterprise, however GM appears to not have thought that far forward. Unbelievable.

Jock Gill truly discovered Jessica Sudeall, the gross sales director at Mirai Chevrolet/Hyundai in Arlington, Massachusetts, very useful. Not like GM, which appears oblivious to buyer retention, Jessica labored additional laborious to earn repeat enterprise from Jock. I promised him I might give her a shout-out as a result of we steadily lambaste lazy sellers who seemingly need nothing to do with promoting electrical vehicles. Jessica might be reached at (781) 641-9208. In case you reside in New England and are excited about a Hyundai, give her a name.