HomeCar NewsHyundai Kona Electric owner after 32,000 kms - Zero maintenance

Hyundai Kona Electric owner after 32,000 kms – Zero maintenance

2020 Hyundai Kona for Europe.
2020 Hyundai Kona

Hyundai’s Kona electric crossover comes at a starting price of just over Rs 23 lakh in India

The Hyundai Kona was launched in India back in July 2019 at a starting price of Rs 25.30 lakh ex-showroom. At the time, it was the first premium EV offering in the country. Due to low demand, the initial asking price was later cut down to Rs 23.71 lakh. We get the EV as a CKD product with components coming from South Korea itself.

The current version, with its 39.2kWh battery pack, boasts of an ARAI-rated range figure of 452km (289km as per WLTP) on a full charge. However, the European market has received a higher variant for the 2020 model year. Coupled to a 64kWh battery pack, the range figure has gone up to 449km on the WLTP (Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Program) cycle. If the 64kWh variant comes to the Indian market, it could return some impressive figures from the rather simple ARAI tests.

While electric-vehicle ownership still remains something of a rarity, many have made bold claims to prove an EV’s worth over an equivalent ICE alternative. Robert Llewellyn from ‘fullychargedshow’ on YouTube has been using a long-termer Hyundai Kona media car for quite some time. Running a channel focused on electric mobility and renewable sources, Robert has come forward stating that he did not spend a single buck on maintenance even after doing 32,000km on the ODO.

Hyundai Kona Electric owner after 32k kms

While one could dismiss this particular example since its a press car (which may or may not be serviced by the brand itself), a similar case was recently reported in India. A Kona owner from Karnataka was not charged a single rupee for its 10,000km service interval. Although everyone is aware that lesser moving parts, lower frictional losses, fewer filters, minimal fluids, etc., are some of the primary maintenance advantages of an EV over an ICE vehicle, a zero-rupee service bill is simply impressive.

Of course, one pays substantially more on an EV’s list price compared to an equivalent petrol or diesel example. With the advancement in electric powertrains, EVs would eventually be on par with ICE models in terms of pricing. At least in India, the concept of widespread electric mobility is a far cry in the current scenario. On the bright side, popular names in the country are coming forward with reasonably-priced EVs. In fact, Hyundai India is working on a small electric crossover priced between Rs 10-15 lakh ex-showroom.

The India-spec Hyundai Kona has an output of 136bhp and 395Nm of torque. Its 39.2kWh battery unit takes less than an hour to charge from zero to 80% using a DC fast charger. The crossover can do a 0-100km/h dash in under 10 seconds. The MG ZS EV, priced at almost Rs 21 lakh ex-showroom, is its closest electric alternative.

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