Hyundai Motor unveils electric bus

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Business

Thu, November 30, 2023 | 02:45

Companies

Hyundai Motor unveils electric bus

Posted : 2017-05-25 16:41

Updated : 2017-05-25 17:56

Hyundai Motor's commercial vehicle division president Han Seong-kwon, third from left, poses with Transport Vice Minister Choi Jeong-ho, fourth from left, and other guests during a ceremony to unveil the carmaker's first electric-powered bus, Elec City, at Hyundai Motor Studio in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

By Lee Hyo-sik

Hyundai Motor has unveiled its first electric-powered bus to solidify its grip on the nation's commercial vehicle market and deal with increasingly tightening rules on car emissions.

Korea's largest carmaker said Thursday it will begin selling the Elec City next year. It strives to introduce more eco-friendly, fuel-efficient buses and trucks to strike a balance with its larger passenger vehicle business.

It held a ceremony to unveil the all-electric bus during the Hyundai Truck & Business Mega Fair at the Hyundai Motor Studio in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

Elec City, powered by a 256-kilowatt lithium polymer battery, can run for 290 kilometers on a single charge, according to the company, which said it takes about 67 minutes to fully recharge the bus. Hyundai has been developing the bus since 2010.

The company expects the vehicle will be popular once on sale, quickly replacing diesel engine buses as the government moves to reduce vehicular emissions to alleviate the worsening fine dust problem. An increasing number of charging stations nationwide will also help boost the sales of Elec City and the firm's other electric vehicles.

"In 2016, Hyundai sold 102,000 buses, trucks and other commercial cars in 130 countries," said Han Seong-kwon, president of the firm's commercial vehicle division. "We would like to sell 3,000 more this year."

Han said the company will increase its investment to develop more fuel-efficient, eco-friendly and safe commercial vehicles, adding it will increase the fuel economy by up to 30 percent.

During the four-day fair, which ends Sunday, Hyundai will exhibit 190 commercial vehicles, both mass-produced and prototypes, for public view.

Visitors also can test drive some of the trucks on designated roads and take part in other events aimed at informing the public more about commercial vehicles.

"The fair is the first of its kind in Korea, providing a fresh impetus to many who have mostly been to motor shows dealing with passenger cars," a Hyundai Motor official said. "It will raise public awareness of commercial vehicles, and help strengthen our leadership in the segment."

leehs@ktimes.com