And it’s official. Hyundai will break ground on its massive $5.5 billion electric vehicle factory in Bryan County, Georgia, on October 25. After several months of lobbying with US officials over EV tax credit changes in the recently passed climate law, the South Korean motor group is officially starting construction on its EV manufacturing plant.
According to a report from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hyundai will meet with state and local leaders to start the 3,000-acre project, the most significant economic development project in Georgia’s history.
Hyundai initially announced plans for the $5.5 billion facility, its first dedicated EV plant, in May. The automaker entered into an agreement with the state of Georgia with plans to begin construction in early 2023.
However, since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed in August, Hyundai and South Korean Officials have publicly stated their concerns over the disproportionate effects it may have on automakers.
Before the bill was passed, Hyundai models (including the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6) qualified, but with strict new battery sourcing and assembly requirements, that would no longer be the case.
The climate bill was passed to renew US manufacturing capacity, support the transition to electric vehicles in the United States, and boost the economy (companies have invested almost $85 billion in EVs and battery tech since 2021).
A South Korean news agency reported last month that, to meet the criteria, Hyundai was considering speeding up its timeline and could begin construction by the end of 2022.
It seems the reports are accurate as Hyundai has announced its plans to begin construction later this month in a move to secure its EV tax credit. When can we expect the automaker’s electric models to qualify?
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Source: Hyundai
Will Hyundai EV models qualify for the tax credit?
Georgia Senator Reverend Warnock introduced a bill earlier this month that would allow automakers like Hyundai a grace period to build EVs in the United States.
The Affordable Electric Vehicles for America Act, as it’s called, would delay when the specific requirements would go into law until 2025. Although it has little chance of passing, it makes sense.
Hyundai has already agreed to invest significantly in US EV manufacturing, which is expected to create around 8,100 jobs. Furthermore, the Hyundai Group’s (Hyundai, Kia, Genesis) parts supplier said it would invest $1.3 to establish an EV components plant to expand its North American footprint further.
Why not include them in the tax credit to give them time while accelerating EV adoption in the United States?
Earlier this month reports out of South Korea suggested that President Biden has “expressed willingness” to continue discussions with leaders over foreign automakers qualifying for the US tax credit.
Hyundai is currently seeking a delay to the phase-in period for the newly passed US climate bill so its EV models can still qualify for the tax credit until its plant is operational, according to the AJC.
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Following approval from Transport Canada, EV startup Workhorse will be bringing the W56 and W750 model electric delivery vans to commercial truck dealers in Canada as early as this spring.
“This is a major step forward for Workhorse,” says Josh Anderson, Workhorse’s chief technology officer in a press statement. “Pre-clearance from Transport Canada opens up a large new market for our products throughout Canada, including with fleets that operate across borders in North America.”
Despite that uncertainty, Workhorse execs remain upbeat. “We’re excited that our electric step vans can now reach Canadian roads and highways, providing reliable, zero-emission solutions that customers can depend on,” added Anderson.
Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.
Electrek’s Take
FedEx electric delivery vehicle; via Workhorse.
There’s no other way to say it: the Trump/Musk co-presidency is disrupting a lot of companies’ plans – and that’s especially true across North American borders. But in all this chaos and turmoil there undoubtedly lies opportunity, and it will be interesting to see who ends up on top.
The new Liebherr S1 Vision 140-ton hauler is unlike any heavy haul truck currently on the market – primarily because the giant, self-propelled, single-axle autonomous bucket doesn’t look anything like any truck you’ve ever seen.
Liebherr says its latest heavy equipment concept was born from a desire to rethink truck design with a focus only on core functions. The resulting S1 Vision is primarily just a single axle with two powerful electric motors sending power to a pair of massive airless tires designed carry loads up to 131 tonnes (just over 140 tons).
The design enables rapid maintenance, as important components easily accessible for quick servicing. Wear parts can be replaced efficiently, and the electric drive significantly reduces maintenance work. This helps to minimise downtimes and increases operational efficiency.
LIEBHERR
Because of its versatility, durability, and ability to perform zero-turn maneuvers that other equipment simply can’t, the Liebherr S1 Vision can be adapted for various applications, including earthmoving, mining, and even agriculture. There’s also a nonzero chance of this technology finding applications supporting other on-site equipment through charging or fuel delivery.
The S1 accomplishes that trick safely with the help of an automatic load leveling system that ensures maximum stability, even on bumpy or rough terrain. The company says this technology significantly reduces the risk of tipping while providing smooth and secure operation across various environments.
The HD arm of Hyundai has just released the first official images of the new, battery-electric HX19e mini excavator – the first ever production electric excavator from the global South Korean manufacturer.
The HX19e will be the first all-electric asset to enter series production at Hyundai Construction Equipment, with manufacturing set to begin this April.
The new HX19e will be offered with either a 32 kWh or 40 kWh li-ion battery pack – which, according to Hyundai, is nearly double the capacity offered by its nearest competitor (pretty sure that’s not correct –Ed.). The 40kWh battery allows for up to 6 hours and 40 minutes of continuous operation between charges, with a break time top-up on delivering full shift usability.
Those batteries send power to a 13 kW (17.5 hp) electric motor that drives an open-center hydraulic system. Hyundai claims the system delivers job site performance that is at least equal to, if not better than, that of its diesel-powered HX19A mini excavator.
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To that end, the Hyundai XH19e offers the same 16 kN bucket breakout force and a slightly higher 9.4 kN (just over 2100 lb-ft) dipper arm breakout force. The maximum digging depth is 7.6 feet, and the maximum digging reach is 12.9 feet. Hyundai will offer the new electric excavator with just four selectable options:
enclosed cab vs. open canopy
32 or 40 kWh battery capacity
All HX19es will ship with a high standard specification that includes safety valves on the main boom, dipper arm, and dozer blade hydraulic cylinders, as well as two-way auxiliary hydraulic piping allows the machine to be used with a range of commercially available implements. The hydraulics needed to operate a quick coupler, LED booms lights, rotating beacons, an MP3 radio with USB connectivity, and an operator’s seat with mechanical suspension are also standard.
HX19e electric mini excavator; via Hyundai Construction Equipment.
The ability to operate indoors, underground, or in environments like zoos and hospitals were keeping noise levels down is of critical importance to the success of an operation makes electric equipment assets like these coming from Hyundai a must-have for fleet operators and construction crews that hope to remain competitive in the face of ever-increasing noise regulations. The fact that these are cleaner, safer, and cheaper to operate is just icing on that cake.