KATHMANDU: Hyundai has initiated the production of a low-cost electric vehicle (EV) for the Indian market.
According to the company, it has started developing an electric hatchback under the codename ‘HE1i’. The car is slated for launch later this year.
Hyundai plans to introduce the hatchback as its first mass-market EV model based on a skateboard platform. It is expected to be priced around 1 million Indian rupees. The electric hatchback will be built on a 400-volt pure electric architecture. However, no official details about the new hatchback’s features and technical specifications have been released.
The Korean automaker is also preparing to launch eight new models in India by 2030.
The India-built Creta Electric is doing moderately well in the southern neighbor. However, due to its higher price than the internal combustion engine (ICE) version, many customers still opt for petrol and diesel Cretas.
In contrast, Creta Electric is doing well in Nepal as EVs are significantly cheaper than ICE cars.
Laxmi Intercontinental Pvt Ltd, which represents Hyundai in Nepal, distributes Hyundai cars made India as well South Korea in the Nepali market
