Hyundai, Enova extend Hawaii EV demonstration

Advanced Battery Technology, Aug 2003

Hyundai Motor Co. of Seoul, Korea, and the State of Hawaii have announced a two-year extension of the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration program that initially began in 2001. Partners in the program include the U.S. Air Force, the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaiian Electric Co., and Enova Systems of Torrance, California. Officials said the program partners will focus on the testing and development of fast-charging capability.

During the first phase of the program, 15 electric Hyundai sport utility vehicles powered by Enova Systems' 90kW Panther Drive System were used in a variety of local fleets, logging more than 150,000 miles in 24 months.

"The success of Hyundai's first two-year test program is encouraging and we will continue evaluating electric vehicles in fleet applications," said Mon Sik Kwon, Hyundai executive vice president for research and development.

Officials noted that the fast-charging activities during the second phase of the program will involve 3 of the original 15 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs.