Hyundai is preparing to launch an India-specific electric vehicle named HE1i, and it appears that the model will be able to benefit from shared development with sibling brand Kia. Early information suggests that HE1i could utilise the smaller 42 kWh battery pack from Kia’s Syros EV Standard Range variant, fitted with a front-mounted electric motor to produce 135 hp and 255 Nm of torque.
The battery capacity allows for a claimed range of 443 km on a full charge, and although similar figures are expected from the HE1i, the range would comfortably exceed the 400 km threshold considered desirable by many Indian buyers. Hyundai’s choice of the smaller battery pack would make the HE1i highly competitive in the local market, where buyers are typically focussed on price, range, and overall value for money. The 42 kWh battery would also reduce weight, compared to larger battery packs, thus improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption on the roads. Furthermore, the shared powertrain highlights Kia and Hyundai’s collaborative approach to developing electric vehicles, with the motor and battery allowing both manufacturers to share development costs and accelerate the launch of their electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, Kia also sells the Syros EV with a larger 51.4 kWh battery pack that increases power to 171 hp while maintaining the same 255 Nm of torque. For now, the HE1i is expected to utilise the smaller 42 kWh battery pack, at least initially, in order to offer a more affordable electric vehicle with a range that would appeal to most buyers. At a later stage, Kia’s larger battery pack could also form the basis for a performance variant of the HE1i, if market conditions dictate, without the need for extensive development since the 51.4 kWh battery pack would represent a significant upgrade over the 42 kWh battery.
Otherwise, the India-specific HE1i electric vehicle is likely to share many other components with the Syros EV, including its overall design, packaging, and set features. The India-specific regulations often require modifications to design and equipment, and powertrain tweaks, so Hyundai will benefit from utilising existing solutions, as it prepares to enter the competitive electric vehicle market. More details about the HE1i’s design and equipment are likely to follow, but the projected range and power from the 42 kWh battery highlight the value on offer.