Hyundai County Electric is the name of the first electric minibus developed by the Seoul-based company. The vehicles has been recently unveiled. It’ll be introduced in the Korean market.
The 7,710 mm-long County Electric is equipped with a high-efficiency and high-power 128-kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery that provides a range of 250 km on a full charge, the manufacturer highlights. Hyundai Motor will offer the bus in configurations with 15 to 33 seats.
In May 2019 Hyundai Motor unveiled its double-decker electric bus in Seoul. The company is also exploring opportunities in the fuel cell bus market: a first pilot started in Seoul in late 2018. Finally, an hydrogen bus has been delivered to the Korean police in late 2019.
Hyundai County Electric, faster acceleration than diesel models
Within the 50 to 80 km/h range, Hyundai says that the County Electric provides a 30 percent faster acceleration compared to diesel models. In addition, the bus is equipped with an electronically controlled, air-over-hydraulic (AOH) brake system with more robust brake discs to handle increased vehicle weight due to the battery.
The 128-kWh battery can be fully charged in 72 minutes using a standard Combo 1 DC system (based on 150kW charging), which helps ensure reliability. The bus can be charged using a household 220V outlet, which takes 17 hours; a 220V charger is provided as an option.
Hyundai County Electric and the virtual engine sound system
Hyundai Motor equipped the bus with the latest safety technologies to prevent accidents when passengers get on and off. Various sensors located near the middle door, including an ultrasonic sensor, prevent the door from closing while the passenger is getting on and off, the producer underlines. The sensors also trigger an alarm when a body part gets caught in the door and automatically opens the door to prevent injury.
The ultrasonic sensor is also connected to the bus’s acceleration pedal, which prevents the bus from moving forward from a stop when passenger movement is detected. Hyundai County Electric also comes with a virtual engine sound system and rear parking assist system to warn pedestrians and prevent accidents.
The driver has at his/her disposal a color LCD instrument panel with a 7-inch main screen and two 4.2-inch auxiliary screens, providing various vehicle information
Safety in the spotlight of the Hyundai County Electric
The Hyundai County Electric minibus is available with a twin swing-type rear emergency door, seats with a 220-mm-higher backrest, and a new seat belt system that can reduce abdominal pressure during emergency braking.
“County Electric is a zero-emission bus that offers tremendous safety and convenience features for drivers and passengers. With demand for electric vehicles rising in the commercial vehicle market, Hyundai is accelerating its introduction of vehicles such as the County Electric” said Yoon Lee, Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Product Group at Hyundai Motor.
Hyundai County Electric unveiled: it’s the first electric minibus developed by the group