HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HMC)
Corporate Disclosure to Korea Exchange
Disclosure date : September 9, 2010
Disclosure title : Electric Vehicle ‘BlueOn’
1. On September 9, 2010, Hyundai Motor Company held a public viewing and test driving event
for the company’s electric vehicle, ‘BlueOn.’
2. Product Development Cost : KRW 40 billion
3. Product Development Time : 1 year
4. Product Features
a) First electric vehicle developed in Korea.
b) Equipped with high-efficiency electric motor and Lithium ion polymer battery for
high power performance.
c) Maximum speed of 130 km/h. Driving range of 140 km with a single charge.
d) Equipped with latest convenience features such as the electric vehicle telematics
system and 4.2 in LCD Supervision Cluster.
5. Future Plans
a) Provide 30 test vehicles to government organizations by October 2010 (use to
develop and test recharging infrastructure).
b) Small scale production of demo cars in 2011.
6. Notes
a) Future Plans may change depending on business environment and market conditions.
b) Please refer to below press release for additional information.
Media Release
For further information contact the
Global Public Relations Team
Tel: +82+2—3464-2153 ~ 60
Fax: +82+2—3464-3497
globalpr@hyundai.com
Sept. 9, 2010
EMBARGOED UNTIL 11:00 A.M. SEOUL TIME (Sept. 9)
Hyundai Unveils Its First Electric Car ‗BlueOn‘
- `BlueOn‘ is Korea‘s first Full Speed Electric Vehicle (FSEV)
- Hyundai‘s new vehicle boasts maximum speed of 130 km/h, can
travel 140 km on a single charge
- Korean President Lee Myung-Bak attends unveiling ceremony, test
drive
(Seoul, Korea) Hyundai Motor Co. today unveiled the company‘s – and Korea‘s
- first Full Speed Electric Vehicle (FSEV) named ‗BlueOn,‘ opening a new era in
eco-friendly technology.
―We are proud to introduce the world to BlueOn, which was fully developed in
Korea and displays Hyundai‘s latest technological advancements,‖ said Dr. Hyun-
Soon Lee, Vice Chairman at Hyundai‘s Corporate R&D Center. ―Consumers‘
interests and demand for eco-friendly cars are rising and securing such
advanced technology is critical in becoming an industry leader. Hyundai is
dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and satisfying market needs.‖
Hyundai unveiled the car at the Blue House today, in the presence of Korean
President Lee Myung-Bak and Ministers from the Ministry of Knowledge
Economy and Ministry of Environment. About 50 other government and electric-
vehicle industry officials were also present. During the unveiling ceremony,
President Lee and Hyundai‘s Vice Chairman Lee test drove one of the new
vehicles together on the Blue House premises.
Test Fleets
Hyundai invested a total of about 40 billion won over a one year period to
create BlueOn, which is based on Hyundai‘s small hatchback, i10. The electric
version of i10 was first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009.
Beginning with today‘s ceremony, Hyundai is planning to provide 30 BlueOn
vehicles as test fleets to various government organizations in Korea by October.
These vehicles will be mainly used to help develop and test charging
infrastructures for about two years, until August 2012. Furthermore, these cars
will be used for promotional purposes, starting with the upcoming G20 summit,
to boost Korea‘s eco-friendly image.
The name ‗BlueOn‘ derives from Hyundai‘s Blue Drive strategy, which
encompasses the company‘s eco-friendly products and technologies. The word
‗On‘ symbolizes ―switch on.‖
Innovative LiPoly Batteries, Virtual Sound
BlueOn has a compact body with an overall length of 3,585 mm, overall width
of 1,595 mm and overall height of 1,540 mm. It is equipped with a highly
efficient electric motor powered by an innovative 16.4 kWh LiPoly (lithium-ion
polymer) battery technology that offers numerous advantages over other
battery types. BlueOn boasts a maximum power of 81ps(61kW) and maximum
torque of 21.4kg/m(210Nm).
As pure electric vehicles operate only with the battery and electric motor, the
battery‘s lifespan and storage capacity determines the vehicle‘s performance.
Hyundai chose LiPoly batteries because compared with previous nickel-metal
hydride batteries (NiMH), LiPoly delivers the same power with 30 percent less
weight and 40 percent less volume, boosting efficiency and leaving more
interior space for passengers.
Furthermore, the car has been designed to prevent overcharging and collision-
related safety issues. Hyundai also conducted hundreds of thousands of
kilometers‘ worth of endurance testing to secure safety. BlueOn boasts a
maximum speed of 130km/h and 0-100 km/h is achieved in 13.1 seconds,
better than some gasoline models in the same class.
BlueOn also features a Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS), which creates an
artificial sound for the safety of pedestrians, as electric vehicles make little to
no sound when driving at low speeds.
Recharging
BlueOn can travel as much as 140 km on a single charge. It also accommodates
dual recharging methods: a 220V household power and a 380V industrial-
strength power, which promises quick recharging speeds. Under the household
power, the battery will be fully recharged within six hours. Under the quick
charge method, the battery can be recharged to about 80 percent of its
capacity within 25 minutes. Hyundai will collaborate with the Seoul Metropolitan
Government and other government agencies to build recharging facilities.
In addition, the engine-driven components were electrified so that the electric
motor-driven power steering, electric water pump and regenerative brake
system could be adapted to BlueOn. Furthermore, for the driver‘s convenience,
an advanced telematics system showing the charge status and location of
recharging stations is installed. A 4.2-inch TFT LCD Supervision Cluster that
provides voice guidance has also been installed.
Hyundai plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities for BlueOn next year,
carrying out test productions and making about 2,500 units by the end of 2012.
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Motor Group which was ranked as
the world‘s fifth-largest automaker since 2007 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and
affiliates. Employing over 75,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor sold approximately 3.1 million vehicles
globally in 2009, posting sales of US$41.8 billion (including overseas plants, using the average currency
exchange rate of 1,276 won per US dollar). Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000
dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor and its products are available at
www.hyundai.com.