The 7.7-metre battery-electric minibus will be first deployed in Korea to electrify some shorter bus routes, before extending the same to other global markets.
Hyundai has introduced the ‘County Electric’ – the brand’s first electric minibus – for the Korean market, providing an economical, eco-friendly, safe and convenient alternative to diesel-powered buses. It will be offered with a seating capacity of 15-33 seats.
The County Electric is equipped with a high-efficiency and powerful 128-kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery that provides a range of 250 km on a full charge. It can be fully charged in 72 minutes using a standard Combo 1 DC system (based on 150kW charging), while a household 220V outlet-based optional charger takes 17 hours to recharge.
The manufacturer also claims that within the range of 50 to 80 kmph, battery-electric bus provides 30 percent faster acceleration than its diesel rivals. 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.
“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”
Yoon Lee, Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Product Group at Hyundai Motor
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 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. County Electric also comes with a virtual engine sound system and rear parking assist system to warn pedestrians and prevent accidents.
Hyundai County Electric 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. Swapping the diesel engine for electric motor provides more space, making it easier for passengers to get in and out of the bus.
