Hyundai Motor Company plans to release its first commercial electric bus model by early 2018
Its electric bus models are already in development with plans for a trial run later this year, according to the South Korean vehicle manufacturer.
Hyundai was the first car maker in South Korea to develop an electric bus, the “Elec-City” in 2010.
Though the model was trialled after its release, Hyundai couldn’t price it competitively, and the bus was never commercialised.
Now that battery prices have drops and there is growing demand for alternative fuel vehicles for public use, Hyundai will mass produce electric buses which can be fully charged within one hour.
A special team dedicated to developing batteries is leading a project with the goal of replacing lithium-ion batteries with solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries are thought to be safer, as they are less likely to overheat or catch fire.
The development of lithium-ion technology is seeing many IT companies venture into the automobile industry for the first time, but Hyundai’s is developing its own battery technology without the help of other companies.