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Automotive

The BlueOn – Hyundai’s first highway-capable fully electric vehicle

By Darren Quick
September 09, 2010
The BlueOn – Hyundai’s first highway-capable fully electric vehicle
The BlueOn is built on the same body as the i10 EV concept vehicle (pictured)
The BlueOn is built on the same body as the i10 EV concept vehicle (pictured)
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The BlueOn is built on the same body as the i10 EV concept vehicle (pictured)
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The BlueOn is built on the same body as the i10 EV concept vehicle (pictured)
South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak takes Hyundai's BlueOn for a spin during the unveiling ceremony
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South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak takes Hyundai's BlueOn for a spin during the unveiling ceremony

Hyundai has unveiled the company’s – and Korea’s – first Full Speed Electric Vehicle (FSEV). The BlueOn boasts a maximum speed of 130 km/h (80mph) and a range of 140 km (87 miles), making it capable of matching it on the highway with traditional fossil-fuel powered vehicles. With a maximum power of 81ps (61kW) and a maximum torque of 21.4kg/m (210Nm), the BlueOn can go from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 13.1 seconds.

The BlueOn is based on Hyundai’s small hatchback i10, the concept electric version of which was first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. It has a body measuring 3.58m (11.7 ft) long, 1.59m (5.2 ft) wide and 1.54m (5.05 ft) high, making it pretty compact, even for a hatchback. It is powered by 16.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer (LiPoly) battery technology that the company says delivers the same power with 30 percent less weight and 40 percent less volume compared with previous nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.

The BlueOn also accommodates dual recharging methods – 220V household power and 380V industrial-strength power. Using household power the battery will be fully recharged within six hours, while using the 380V quick charge method, the battery can be recharged to about 80 percent capacity within 25 minutes.

Hyundai will collaborate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and other government agencies to build recharging facilities and plans 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. They’ll also be used for promotional purposes, starting with the upcoming G20 summit, to boost Korea's eco-friendly image.

The BlueOn also features a Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS), which, like Toyota’s recently announced onboard audio alert system, creates an artificial sound to alert pedestrians of the vehicle’s approach.

Hyundai says it invested about 40 billion Korean Won (approx. US$35 million) over the course of a year to create the BlueOn, which was unveiled in the presence of Korean President Lee Myung-Bak who took the vehicle for a test drive.

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.

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AutomotiveHyundaiLithium-ionElectric VehiclesSustainability
5 comments
Darren Quick
Darren Quick
Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continues as Managing Editor of New Atlas.

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bio-power jeff
Most people in Korea live in apartments, especially in cities like seoul. Vehicles are parked in sub level parking lots beneath the aprtments. Maybe if we could plant charging stations or just plain electrical outlets for each parking spaces. Evs might work here in Korea. Of course we still need a breakthrough in renewable energy sources to power evs.
Terotech
Again the concept is spoiled by including an \'engine noise generator\'. How do deaf people manage to avoid being hit by vehicles? Sighted people who can\'t be bothered to look out for themselves shouldn\'t be in traffic situations. Car and motorcycle users manage quite well usually without being able to hear other vehicles, and most cars these days are very quiet anyway, and no one can hear bicycles.
William H Lanteigne
Part of the \"breakthrough\" might be to install solar panels on all rooftops and all south-facing exterior walls. That won\'t be enough, and it would likely be more symbolic than productive, but such symbols may be needed to gain acceptance of \"green\" solutions.
Adrian Akau
The BlueOn should be useful in Honolulu. Governor Linda Lingle is welcoming the Nissan Leaf and is making efforts for charging systems to be installed in apartment/condominium complexes which could also serve to charge the BlueOn. Three hundred residents have already made advanced payments for their Leaf\'s which are scheduled to arrive shortly.

The commutes tend to be short but there are difficult areas concerning change in altitude. The first is in passing through the Koolau tunnels connecting the Kaneohe-Kailua side to the town side. The altitude of these tunnels is at 1200 feet and require that the vehicle be able to ascend a grade reaching 15-18 degrees at a speed of 50-55 mph for a distance of 3-4 miles. The second difficult ascension is to the town of Wahiawa which is at the 920 foot level and requires a 50-55 mph speed ascending at about 15 degrees. The third difficulty is on the various heights upon which many of the homes are built (Alewa Heights, Papakolea, Pahoa, Wilamenaha Rise, etc.). Access to these areas means that the vehicle must be able to move upward at 25 mph at slope of about 20 mph.

If the BlueOn and the Leaf are able to meet the above requirements, the market potential will be great. Since military personal must also commute between the Kaneohe Marine Air Station and the Pearl Harbor area by the use of the H3 tunnel and since Wheeler Air Base is in the Wahiawa area, should the vehicles prove worthy, the military might also find them useful.
voluntaryist
Once again the two most important aspects(for any EV) were not even mentioned. Weight & drag are fundamental to efficiency. I can tell just by looking that drag(or beauty) was not considered important. And why do these manufactures always build a 4 seat? Most cars carry one person most of the time. A two seat would save weight and fuel. The maker who \"gets it\" is Aptera.