Hyundai Kona Electric Premium Auto 64kWh 201hp

Hyundai aims to have 16 zero or ultra-low-emission cars in its line-up by 2025 and the Kona EV’s arrival is imminent. You can spec it with a 64kWh battery giving it a 292 mile range, according to the latest WLTP figures – a similarly priced 40kWh Nissan Leaf claims to reach 168 miles on the same tests. If you want to keep that P11D price down, there’s also a less powerful 39kWh battery available offering around 190 miles.

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While the stronger battery reaches 80% in a respectable 54 minutes from a 100kW fast charger it takes nine hours 40 minutes from a 7kW (AC) charger common to domestic and public car park plug-in points.

While the same fast-charge time applies to the shorter-range car, because it stores less electricity, the AC charge time is quicker, at six hours ten minutes.

Because it has so few reciprocating moving parts, the car is quiet, especially at low speeds. With just one gear, the power delivery is seamless too.

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Engage the sporty drive mode and pin the pedal and you unleash a wave of power that tugs at the steering wheel, punishes the front tyres and slingshots the Kona to 62mph in 7.6 seconds. The ride is composed, thanks to the low centre of gravity, but you can’t escape the weight from the payload.

The interior is almost identical to petrol Konas, other than the bespoke centre console. Some hard plastics are dotted around but colour-coded stitching on the steering wheel and seat bolsters, and splashes of body coloured paint on the air vents stylishly boost the ambience.

Prices start at £24,995 for the 39kWh version including the government’s £4,500 plug-in car grant, and the 64kWh version costs £29,495. The grant makes a big difference here, though, and its BIK implications will make even the higher-priced Kona affordable.

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