Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid News
Hyundai Begins Big Rollout of Plug-in Vehicles Over Next Five Years
Hyundai plans to introduce as many as five new so-called green cars in the next five years, according to Lee Ki-sang, the company’s senior vice-president. Most of them are expected to be pure electric cars. Within eight years, it will offer as many 38 vehicles that are powered by electric, hydrogen, or hybrid powertrains, according to statements from executives earlier this month. Most immediately, the 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In goes on sale in the coming weeks.
Kia Announces 2017 Optima as Second Plug-in for the Brand
Kia unveiled the 2017 Optima Plug-in Hybrid at last month’s Chicago Auto Show. Hyundai-Kia has been slow to the plug-in market, but the plan to roll out the Optima Plug-in Hybrid late this year reveals a commitment from the company to expand its electric offerings.
Kia Will Increase Range of Soul EV for 2017
Kia Soul EV sales have averaged below 100 units a month, placing it in the back of the plug-in pack in 2015—even lower than the discontinued Cadillac ELR. Yet, according to report from UK’s Autocar, Hyundai-Kia is not giving up on the Soul EV. The publication offers this single point about the Soul, which is getting a facelift for 2017: the next EV version will have longer range.
Hyundai Will Launch Dedicated Green Vehicle Brand in 2016
Hyundai will launch a new green car brand, according to a report this week in The Korea Herald. The company is expected to start with a new dedicated conventional gas-electric hybrid, followed by the release plug-in hybrid and pure EV versions of the same car.
Hyundai Kia to Invest $4.4 Billion in Electrified Vehicle Development
Hyundai-Kia announced it will invest $15.5 billion in 2012 to upgrade facilities and to research and develop futuristic vehicles. Up to $4.4 billion of that investment will be set aside for the development of hybrid, fuel cell and plug-in vehicles. But when will US drivers be able to buy a Hyundai electric car?