Hyundai unveils expanded EV ecosystem for local drivers

To make EV owners feel just as, if not more comfortable than owners of ICE cars on the road and throughout the whole experience of ownership. This is the goal that Hyundai is committing to as it sinks its roots deeper into Singaporean soil.

On 20 June 2023, the Korean carmaker unveiled an extended vision of the "EV ecosystem" it has long teased. Under the grand declaration, "Charging Towards a Sustainable Future", the event was fittingly held at the farm-to-table restaurant, Open Farm Community. A crew of A-list partners was also revealed for the first time at the event, including Charge+, Schneider Electric, Power Up Tech (P.UP) and even OCBC.

Under the title "Charging Towards a Sustainable Future", a new crew of A-list partners were announced by Hyundai at the event

Admittedly, the assortment of names may seem random at first ("How does a Singaporean bank come into the picture?", you may ask). Altogether, however, they contribute to the "differentiated charging solutions" envisioned by Hyundai, and form the foundation of its plan to "make hassle-free EV ownership a reality for Singapore's drivers".

Charge+'s involvement here should be quite self-explanatory. The company is currently one of the leading charging service providers locally, with not only the network (approximately 1,000 chargers around the island as we speak), but also the tech (its proprietary slim AC chargers, and Turbo DC fast chargers) to boast of.

Charge+, one of Hyundai's key partners, currently boasts one of the largest charging networks in Singapore with close to 1,000 charging stations 

Having worked with Hyundai locally already, Charge+ is now being tapped on to provide charging credits to buyers of the brand's EVs. A base option will give drivers 18 months of free charging (with 220kWh of monthly credits), although higher-mileage drivers can opt for 12 months of free charging (with 330kWh of monthly credits). Residents at condominiums with Charge+ points enjoy free charging.

This point of islandwide destination charging is also where OCBC comes into the picture. With the Hyundai x OCBC partnership now, cardholders will be able to enjoy up to $2,000 in charging rebates over two years, regardless of whichever charging service provider they use. 

But destination charging isn't where it ends in Hyundai's scheme.

Schneider Electric will help to cover the hardware provision, installation and warranty of wallbox chargers for landed property residents who opt for the home charging package

For those living on private property, a collaboration with Schneider Electric will not only cover the hardware, but also necessary installation and three years of warranty (apparently another industry first) for its EV buyers.

The final partnership puts an even more interesting spin on things: Mobile charging. Hyundai EV owners can soon look forward to calling on the roving fast charging vans by P.UP in instances where they are unable to hunt down a charging point themselves.

Reservations can be made two hours in advance through the P.UP mobile app, and are open 24-hours through the week. In the duration that it takes for their EVs to recharge, P.UP will even provide complimentary car hand wash and tyre shine services.

The event included a live demonstration of P.UP's mobile charging van charging up an Ioniq 5 with its fast charger

Hyundai's grand announcement comes as the first Made-in-Singapore Ioniq 5s have started reaching customers. In tandem, the firm has built and released the Ioniq Care+ app, which helps owners analyse their vehicle and battery usage patterns, and provides directions and real-time availability information for over 1,500 charging stations.

The new EV ecosystem - as Hyundai likes to call it - also augments efforts to electrify its fleet with its longstanding distributor Komoco Motors, which helped launch its first EVs, the Ioniq Electric and Kona Electric, locally.

On the aftersales front, Hyundai and Komoco jointly unveiled the world-first Hyundai EV Service Centre in Alexandra Road just last year.

The move comes as the first deliveries of the Made in Singapore Ioniq 5 reach customers 

In all, this gradual piecing together of the ecosystem is but yet another step towards the grand opening of the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS).

When the latter opens, it will feature a smart farm, a rooftop test-drive track, and launch the first E-pit ultra-fast charging stations locally, which can charge a vehicle to 80% within 18 minutes.