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Hyundai-Kia Planning New Electric CUV, 500 i10 BlueOn EVs

It seems Hyundai's recently-revealed i10 BlueOn electric vehicle is only the tip of the iceberg for the Korean giant-killer.

While the company is preparing to put its BlueOn electric vehicle into limited production, it is also working on a rang


It seems Hyundai's recently-revealed i10 BlueOn electric vehicle is only the tip of the iceberg for the Korean giant-killer.

While the company is preparing to put its BlueOn electric vehicle into limited production, it is also working on a range of crossover-based EVs.

Speaking in Korea this week, Hyundai's EV development boss Hong John-Lee offered details of the company's plans in the electric arena.

"We plan to produce 2,000 electric vehicles based on Kia's upcoming cross utility vehicles, and 500 BlueOns by 2012," Mr Hong said.

The electric crossover will be based on a new petrol-powered Kia CUV due in 2011, with Hyundai's electric version expected to appear in 2012.

While electric vehicle batteries have been a major obstacle in bringing the purchase price of EVs within reach of the general public, Mr Hong said that he expects the price of batteries to fall "faster than expected."

Both the BlueOn and the upcoming Kia EVs will be sold to Korean government departments in 2012, with commercial sales set to begin in 2013.

Overall, the South Korean Government aims to replace around 20 percent of the nation's passenger vehicles with EVs by 2020.

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