The
pushevs article below may be correct in its suggestion that the Kona could be a
Bolt-killer...
To the list of the Kona's advantages below, I'd add a far more appealing design, and (probably) a much nicer and more comfortable interior.
Hyundai starts pre-orders for Kona Electric
Last Monday, Hyundai started accepting pre-orders for the Kona Electric in South Korea.
The much awaited electric version of Hyundai Kona will have its powertrain (battery and motor) made by LG Chem. Depending on the version chosen, the 150 kW electric motor will be powered by a 39,2 or 64 kWh battery. While the 39,2 kWh battery will be enough for more than 240 km (149 miles) range, the 64 kWh will get at least 390 km (242 miles). These figures are from the South Korean test cycle, which gets very similar results to the EPA’s...
With its powertrain also provided by LG Chem and similar dimensions, it’s clear that the Chevrolet Bolt EV is the most direct alternative to the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Furthermore, knowing that competition is coming, GM recently announced that the company will make 5.000 units of the Bolt EV available this year to South Korean customers. Much better than the 600 units sent to South Korea last year.
When compared to the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the Hyundai Kona Electric has some advantages.
It’s a Hyundai, this means that its warranty will be much better.
The Kona Electric will be more efficient. It’ll have more recent battery cells (NCM 811), which will make the battery pack at least 150 kg lighter than the one present today in the Bolt EV – with NCM 622 cells. Furthermore, it’ll have a heat pump, especially important in colder places.
Being lighter not only makes it more efficient, but will also contribute for better performance ...
Having a entry-level battery option (39,2 kWh) will make it cheaper.
As much as I like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, it seems that all the good parts come from LG Chem, while its worst aspects come from Chevrolet.
Anyway, first deliveries in South Korea are scheduled for the first half of this year. Europe will be next, then North America and the rest of the world. Hyundai Kona Electric’s arrival will benefit the most European customers, since the Opel Ampera-e seems a futureless project in this continent....
https://pushevs.com/2018/01/17/hyundai- ... -electric/