Hyundai Pulls Plug on Ioniq Electric Car
Photo: Hyundai
For 2022, the Hyundai lineup is gaining one EV in the Ioniq 5 — but it’s losing another in the Ioniq Electric.
Total Peace of Mind: Learn more about America’s Best Warranty from Hyundai
Autotrader reports that Hyundai will discontinue the Ioniq Electric, an all-electric hatchback car that’s been around since 2017. The automaker is shifting its emphasis to battery-powered SUVs like the Kona Electric, Ioniq 5, and upcoming models for the Ioniq sub-brand.
The Ioniq Electric is part of a three-vehicle lineup that also includes the Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. It’s not clear yet whether the two Ioniq hybrids will come back for 2022 or be taken out of production along with the all-electric model.
As a whole, the Ioniq lineup sold 11,107 units over the first six months of 2021. That’s a big improvement over 2020, but still just 2.7 percent of Hyundai’s total sales. The automaker doesn’t separate out sales for each of the three models, so it’s likely that Ioniq Electric numbers alone are quite a bit less than the total.
Find Your New Favorite: Check out Hyundai’s extensive lineup of high-quality SUVs
Photo: Hyundai
As EV technology rapidly advances, the Ioniq Electric’s range and charging capabilities aren’t quite up to par with the Kona Electric or competitors like the Chevy Bolt, Kia Niro, or Nissan Leaf Plus. On the other hand, it’s one of the EV segment’s most affordably priced models.
For 2021, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric carries a starting price of $33,245 before the $7,500 federal EV tax credit is applied. It has a maximum driving range of 170 miles and can regain 80 percent of its battery charge with about 50 minutes on a public fast charger. The electric motor delivers 134 horsepower and 218 lb-ft of torque. The Ioniq Electric also offers an extensive list of standard infotainment technologies, safety features, and interior amenities.
Keep up with all the latest news about Hyundai EVs by following our coverage here at The News Wheel.
A longtime editor/writer and recently transplanted Hoosier, Caleb Cook lives in Xenia, Ohio. His favorite activities are reading and listening to music, although he occasionally emerges from the heap of books and vinyl records in his basement to stand blinking in the sunlight. Once fully acclimated to the outside world again, he can be observed hanging out with his wife, attempting a new recipe in the kitchen, attending movies, walking the dog, or wandering into a local brewery to inquire about what’s on tap. See more articles by Caleb.