ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Hyundai plans to launch a battery-powered version of its Ioniq compact sedan in 2018 with a driving range of at least 200 miles per charge.
That would put Hyundai in competition with the Chevrolet Bolt, which has an EPA-certified 238-mile range on a single charge. Tesla has said its Model 3 will be over 200 miles when it arrives in 2018. Nissan is working on a 200-mile Leaf but has not said when the vehicle will go on sale.
Ahn Byung-ki, director of Hyundai's eco-vehicle performance group, said the Ioniq will launch early next year with a 124-mile range, a distance he says will satisfy most consumers' daily commuting needs. But he added: "124 is not enough, and we have a plan to extend that to more than 200 by 2018."
He spoke last week at a media event at Hyundai's technical center near here.
The Ioniq will be available in three models: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric. At the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, Hyundai plans to provide home charging stations for the Ioniq.
