Hyundai Motor India has quietly discontinued the Kona Electric, its first all-electric vehicle in the country, as it shifts focus to the highly anticipated Creta EV, set to debut as its first mass-market electric SUV. The model has been silently removed from the company’s official website, five years later since its debut in 2019. This move can be linked with Hyundai’s preparation for the Creta EV, which is expected to hit showrooms by early 2025.
The Kona Electric was powered by a 100 kW motor, delivering 131 bhp and 395 Nm of torque. It housed a 39.2 kWh battery, returning a claimed range of 453 km on a full charge.
The Kona Electric faced several challenges in the Indian market, one being its crossover design when the market has been shifting to SUVs. Unlike its international versions, the Indian model did not receive significant interior upgrades. These factors likely contributed to Hyundai's decision to phase out the Kona Electric due to lackluster sales. Last month, not even a single unit of the EV was sold.
The details about Creta EV are currently scarce but the model has been spied testing in India a few times already. With an expected driving range of 400-500 km, the Creta EV will compete with models like the MG ZS EV, Tata Curvv, and Maruti Suzuki eVX. Following its debut, the electrified Creta will join Ioniq 5, as the company plans to launch six EVs by 2028 on our shores.
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