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Ahead of its debut in the Nigerian market later in the year, according to plans by Stallion Motors Nigeria, Hyundai’s Kona Electric has successfully completed a record 1,600 – kilometre European road trip across nine countries in just under 24 hours.
The historic trip thus busted the claim that one cannot travel a long distance in an electric car. The trip also came as the car was acknowledged as the Best Small Family Car at the inaugural TopGear Electric Awards, organised by United Kingdom-based Top gear magazine.
Hyundai Motor’s fully electric SUV was not only commended for its efficiency and long-distance capability but also for its smooth and effortless performance.
The 24-hour-long drive took place in December 2019, with BBC TopGear magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Charlie Turner using the European rapid charger network to supply the Kona Electric with 316kWh of electricity, choosing to only charge to 80 per cent capacity in order to maximise driving time.
In total, nine countries were visited with the trip starting in the Czech Republic and the 1,600-kilometre drive taken through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland.
According to Charlie Turner: “Whilst we find ourselves in lockdown, having the freedom to travel through as many countries as you want is the stuff of distant dreams.
“It’s reassuring, however, to know that as electrification becomes an ever growing part of our vehicular future, cars like Kona Electric can already deliver and whilst most won’t cover the miles in the way we did, we’ve proved that range anxiety shouldn’t play a part in long-distance travel.”
On his part, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “Following its launch in 2018, Kona Electric has continued to prove itself as an affordable zero-emission all-rounder, combining practicality with range and performance.
“The most recent updates have brought enhanced connectivity and a three-phase on-board charger, making the overall package even more compelling.
“We are delighted that TopGear has acknowledged the strengths of Kona Electric, adding to the many previous awards for this remarkable car.”
The full story of the Kona Electric’s epic drive through Europe is published in the current UK edition of TopGear magazine.
Only recently, Stallion Motors – Hyundai promised to bring the Kona Electric into the Nigerian market before the end of the year.
Stallion Motors is Nigerias leading auto assembler and franchisee of nine global brands, including Hyundai.
Stallion Motors CEO, Anant Badjatya, disclosed his company’s plan to officially launch Kona Electric into the Nigerian market. He said well-meaning and concerned people globally are urgently making moves to save the planet by reducing emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles. The least his company could give back to the country after 50 years of operation, and by extension, the world, is to be a leading pilot in steering the nation to the direction of clean energy use and reduction of emission, he explained.
Not being dissuaded by Nigeria’s infrastructural challenges, he said one of his company’s plans for this year is to introduce into the country Electric Vehicle (EV) and, in no distant future, embark on attitude change campaign for a clean environment in conjugation with Hyundai.
If everything works according to plans, the versatile and powerful Hyundai KONA Electric will be the first All-Electric SUV in Nigeria. Its power packed performance will provide a thrilling driving experience with high acceleration over long distances.
Driving range for Kona Electric is 482 km with an acceleration of (0-100kms) in 9.7 secs. The ease of charging is unmatched, one can even plug it in at home or at work and charge it for 9.35 hrs for a full battery capacity.
Hyundai Kona comes with a five years of battery warranty and five years of vehicle warranty. KONA Electric will change the way people think about going electric. It would make history as first Electric SUV in Nigeria with local manufacturing.
