Hyundai have launched the next Ioniq Electric model for 2020, with a bigger battery- up to 38.3kWh useable. Hardly a surprise there. A modest increase, within the existing platform, sounds like a sensible but incremental step. Think of it as Ioniq V1.5 rather than V2. 38kWh compared to the existing 28kWh means up to around 160 to 200 miles of range between charges, and let’s be honest, it’s enough for most of us in the UK. It’s not any bigger, because the Ioniq platform, that enables hybrid and PHEV, remember, doesn’t have a huge volume available for a battery. (And note, Hyundai report useable capacity – compared to some other manufacturers still quoting gross capacity).
Add in some tech from the Kona, like more features on the regen side, a bit more motor power (100kW) and a revised grille with a similar price – all good.
The downside? Well, the battery is borrowed from the Kona 39, it has been reported that this means it has fewer cells. That probably means a lower system voltage, nominally 319V compared to 360V. So what? Well, charging power is dictated by the current available at the charger side, and the voltage of the battery. Power = (Volts * Amps). With a 125A charger, and 319V, you’d get 40kW out of an existing “50kW” Polar Ultracharger. That means 46 minutes to 80%, assuming 125A is available at a state of charge as high as 80%. That’s in line with the quoted 54 minutes to 80% from Hyundai, perhaps confirming the 319 volt setup.
However, even 40kW is looking optimistic if you look at experience of Kona 39 charging in cold weather. The rapid charging behaviour is significantly more conservative than the existing Ioniq. Videos posted on YouTube show the charging rate reducing as states of charge as low as 50% (compared to 76% in the 2016 Ioniq) which won’t help.
To compare with other cars, a charging rate of “miles per hour” is useful, so this represents around 190 miles per hour added*. Not bad, but disappointing compared to the existing car which can reach 240 or so (or higher on chargers with a current limit of more than 125A – of which there are very few around in the UK, in early 2020).
[*:assumes 5 miles/kWh, quite easily achieved in an Ioniq Electric]
The bottom line is that you’re looking at charging times of over an hour, compared to 18 minutes in the 2016 car. What a shame.
Where this new model makes sense is that most trips are a lot less than the range of this car. Most people don’t rapid charge very often, as it’s simply easier to charge at home overnight, or perhaps at work. The extra range means that you might only need one charge per week! You still get class-leading efficiency with lots of features for the price, circa £27k. To get any better probably takes a Tesla Model 3, or another £40k+ car – with the accompanying “luxury road tax” payable in the UK.
We await the Ioniq V2 with interest, since Hyundai have reportedly invested billions with Canoo who have a “skateboard” architecture, more like Teslas. This could maintain the Ioniq’s great aerodynamics and efficiency, without adding much to the overall height of the car. I do wonder why it takes so much cash to realise these things – which is probably why I’m not in the car business!
In the meantime, the Ioniq 28 is still the fastest affordable EV over very long distances, as Bjorn Nyland’s 1000km tests have shown- some 14 hours for the 1000km compared to around 12 hours in an Ioniq 28 (with a high mileage). And that’s disappointing for the new car.
simonselectriccar 
It does seem your prediction was correct and so if travelling long distance the new car actually performs worse ie less but longer charging stops. It is all new to me but I did see a real world example of this when that personable Thai guy who tests EV’s in Norway did 1000km in 12hrs in the old car and the same trip took 14hrs in a MY20 car ;( It was in worse weather though and he reckons low battery temp is a killer (coldgate he calls it). The orginal car had some heaters around the batteries – do you happen to know if this new car has them ?
Anyway, thanks for your blog – I pick my new ‘Efficiency King’ up on Saturday and already I’ve learned from you about the dynamic pricing from Octopus. This has now led to a plan for a bigger ifttt system to include our immersion heaters,dishwasher etc as well as the chargepoint.
Paul
LikeLike