Alternative vehicle propulsion is fast rising in consciousness amongst Philippine motorists, with vehicles such as the Toyota Prius being sold in local dealerships and the E-Jeepney plying selected routes in the country. In India, however, Hyundai has formally launched the i10 Blue Drive, a fully electric version of the i10 that we know and love.
Making its Indian debut at Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi (it was originally unveiled in Frankfurt on September 2009), it sports a 66hp electric motor coupled with a 16kwh lithium-ion battery pack, giving it a range of about 160 kilometers between charges. This is a city roundabout, and its performance figures tell the tale – 0-100kph in 15 seconds and a top speed of 130kmph.
Hyundai will initially make the i10 Blue Drive available to the Korean public as a lease-only option. Why? Because producing the car is expensive. The lithium-ion battery pack alone costs more than the price of a new gasoline i10. India exclusively produces the i10 for worldwide consumption. Production of an electric car in a developing country? That gives us here in the Philippine motoring enthusiast community a glimmer of hope.
Sources:
http://gm-volt.com/2009/09/04/hyundai-i10-electric-car-unveiled/
http://www.zigwheels.com/News/Hyundai-goes-blue-with-i10-Electric/hyundaii10electric_20090904-1-1
