Hyundai is preparing to launch the world’s first hybrid vehicle powered by advanced lithium-polymer batteries and capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Recently named the world’s fifth-largest carmaker in conjunction with its Kia subsidiary, Hyundai is making strides to build a product line that reflects its status among the world’s top manufacturers.

The carmaker has confirmed the hybrid car, which is based on the current Elantra, will go on sale in July of next year, initially in South Korea. It is still investigating what other markets to launch the hybrid vehicle in, but Australia is one of the top contenders due to our extensive LPG infrastructure.

Revolutionary combination of ordinary powertrains
Powered by a fuel-injected LPG Gamma 1.6-litre engine and a 15kW electric motor routed through a continuously variable transmission, the Elantra hybrid will emit just 103g of carbon dioxide per km and will be able to recoup the extra price premium for the new technology in just two years through fuel savings (based on current LPG prices in South Korea). In Australia, recent petrol price rises have been equalled by LPG price rises, both of which have climbed by almost 15% over the first six months of the year.

Nevertheless, the addition of the LPG subsidy from the federal government should turn the car's price premium around in short order. The current subsidy contributes $1,000 to the purchase of a car equipped to use LPG direct from the factory, or $2,000 to the purchase of cars later converted to run on gas.

Regardless of the time it takes to recuperate the expense of the system, the fact that the system exists deserves some attention. The basic idea behind the car’s hybrid drivetrain is not revolutionary, but the combination of an LPG-powered combustion engine with a hybrid electric motor is, despite the fact that both technologies have existed for at least a decade. No other carmaker has seen fit to combine the two technologies, not even Honda, though it produces both a Hybrid and a LPG version of its Civic in several markets.

By putting the low-emissions LPG fuel together with the emissions-reducing regenerative capabilities of a hybrid drivetrain, Hyundai is bringing a car to market that has the potential to offer excellent everyday performance while also flying under emissions and carbon tax requirements.

Lithium-polymer batteries first in the automotive world
The new Hyundai LPG hybrid will also be the first car in the world to use lithium polymer rechargeable batteries, which will be supplied by LG Chem – a leader in producing batteries. Lithium polymer batteries have significant advantages over lithium-ion batteries including higher energy density, lower manufacturing costs, being more robust to physical damage and they can also take more charge-discharge cycles before storage capacity begins to degrade.

Lithium-ion batteries are themselves considered a next-generation battery technology by many makers, including Mercedes-Benz, which hopes to be first to market with a car using that technology in the shape of the S400, due in global markets next year.

As the Elantra hybrid is still in development, more detailed technical specifications will be released closer to the car’s launch date. By 2010, Hyundai hopes to expand its hybrid powertrain to even more models.

• Aptera Typ-1 pushes design and efficiency to new ground
• Audi Q7 hybrid to lower fuel economy below 10L/100km
• BMW 7-series ActiveHybrid pairs efficiency with performance
• BMW considering alternate hybrid systems for M division
• BMW taps solar power to improve efficiency

Comments (0)

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment

Share this Story