Hyundai Motor Co. has officially announced that its popular midsize SUV will become the brand's first extended-range electric vehicle, targeting a massive driving range of 600 miles on a single fueling.
Speaking at the annual CEO Investor Day in Seoul, President and CEO Jose Munoz revealed that the new three-row Santa Fe EREV aims to bridge the gap for drivers hesitant to make a full commitment to battery-electric vehicles.
Related Stories
Get the Latest Sports News from Seymour's Bird
Receive the latest updates on football, basketball,and technology news directly in your inbox. It's free!
Subscribe"The Santa Fe EREV represents a strategic shift in how we approach electrification and range anxiety for our customers," stated company leadership during the comprehensive announcement in Seoul.
The upcoming vehicle utilizes a dual-electric-motor layout paired with a gas-powered motor generator, allowing owners to plug in or rely on the internal generator when charging infrastructure is unavailable.
New Battery Tech and Strategic Shift Toward Hybrids
Production for the new model is slated to take place at Hyundai's manufacturing plant in Alabama, ensuring domestic assembly for the North American market beginning in the first half of 2027.
Alongside the Santa Fe, Hyundai's luxury division Genesis will introduce a GV70 EREV in early 2027, pushing the technological envelope further with an anticipated maximum range exceeding 640 miles.
Underpinning the new EREV architecture is Hyundai's proprietary battery chemistry utilizing mid-nickel NCM cells, which reportedly cuts production costs by roughly 30 percent while slashing charge times by 40 percent.
"This new proprietary battery technology allows us to maintain high power output while drastically improving manufacturing efficiency and affordability," noted industry analysts reviewing the financial projections.