Hyundai Kona Electric - Range, charging & running costs (2019-2023)
The Kona Electric should prove inexpensive to run, maintain and insure
Hyundai Kona Electric range & charging
Filling a Hyundai Kona EV's battery with electricity will cost a fraction of the amount you'll spend on a tank of petrol or diesel in other Kona models. What's more, if Hyundai's claims are to be believed, the most expensive 64kWh version will take you up to 300 miles before needing to be plugged in and charged again. In our experience, the 250-mile mark is comfortably achievable, and it's possible to hit around 270 miles if you make good use of the energy recuperation as the car slows down to put some electricity back into the battery.
Those who don't expect to make such long journeys can opt for the less expensive 39kWh 'small battery' option, and this can manage a still-impressive 189 miles on a full charge. These range predictions have been calculated using the latest WLTP economy testing procedure, which should mean they're achievable in real-world conditions on warmer days.
As with any other electric car, you'll still need to plan your driving routine around trips to the charger, but an 80% boost from a public 100kW fast-charger can be delivered in just under an hour. This shouldn't be a major inconvenience as part of a longer journey, as most families will need to stop at some point anyway. A full charge from the optional 7kW home charger takes just under 10 hours.
Electricity aside, running costs should be minimal. With fewer mechanical parts than a petrol or diesel model, reliability should be assured and servicing costs should be low – although Hyundai has yet to confirm pricing. Service plans will be available, though, and can be arranged to suit your annual mileage expectations.
Hyundai provides a five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty with every new car sold in the UK, and the Kona Electric also carries an eight-year/125,000-mile warranty on its high-voltage battery.
As a zero-emissions vehicle, the Kona Electric is exempt from VED (tax) – further reducing annual running costs. Unfortunately, the government's decision to cut the plug-in car grant from £3,000 to £2,500 and limit it to cars costing no more than £35,000 affects the Kona's price. The 39kWh battery versions in SE Connect and Premium still qualify, as does the entry-level 64kWh model, but the Kona with the bigger battery in higher trims is effectively now more expensive.
