Hyundai’s flagship SUV is going electric. According to sources, Hyundai is developing an electric Santa Fe and a new EV pickup truck for the US, but there’s more to it. Here’s what to expect from Hyundai’s new EVs.
Hyundai Santa Fe is finally going electric but as an EREV
The Santa Fe is Hyundai’s second-best-selling SUV in the US. Hyundai has sold over 65,600 Santa Fe models through July, more than double the IONIQ 5 (22,144) and 6 (7,690) combined.
Although Hyundai is expected to launch an electric Sante Fe, it may not be what you imagine. On Tuesday, industry sources revealed (via KED Global) Hyundai is developing a next-gen powertrain for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).
The system includes a fuel-based power unit to extend an electric vehicle’s range. An electric generator charges the vehicle’s battery, enabling longer ranges.
Hyundai recently established a new “xEV System” development team in Korea. Sources familiar with the matter said Yang Heui-won, Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D chief, will head the project.
The first models, Hyundai’s Santa Fe and the Genesis GV70 are expected to receive the tech in the next two to three years.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
After that, electric Hyundai and Kia pickup trucks will also gain EREV drivetrains. They are expected to begin rolling out in 2028 or 2029. The sources claim the new EV pickups will have over 330 miles (530 km) driving range.
Conquering the US market with pickups and SUVs
Hyundai aims to “conquer” the massive US pickup truck market, according to a report from Naver last week.
The report claimed Hyundai completed a teardown of the Tesla Cybertruck last month as it prepared to take on the US market. A Ford F-150 Lightning was also spotted with Korean test plates near Hyundai’s facility last month.
Tesla Cybertruck (Photo: Courtesy of Tesla Inc)
According to S&P Global Mobility registration data, Tesla’s Cybertruck was the fifth top-selling EV in the US in May. Ford’s F-150 Lightning was number 10.
Hyundai sells the Santa Cruz pickup, but sales are down 10% this year. Last year, the Santa Cruz ranked 12 in US pickup sales, with 36,675 models handed over.
Kia’s first pickup, the Tasman (Source: Hyundai)
With 2.86 million units sold in the US last year, pickup sales nearly doubled that of large sedans with 1.56 million.
Hyundai wants to compete with Ford’s F-series, the Chevy Silverado, and Ram for a piece of the US pickup market.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 (SEVEN) electric SUV concept (Source: Hyundai)
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor, including Kia and Genesis, accounted for 10% of the US EV market through July. Hyundai is the second top-selling EV brand ahead of Ford (7.4%) and GM (6.3%) as it looks to close the gap with Tesla (49.7%).
Electrek’s Take
Hyundai is investing heavily in the US market. Its massive $7.6B Metaplant in GA is opening its doors later this year.
Electric cars produced at the facility are expected to qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit as Hyundai looks to outpace US rivals.
It is interesting to see the report claim that Hyundai is developing EREVs because of concerns over EV range and charging infrastructure. According to the Department of Energy and EPA, Hyundai already has eight of the top ten most energy-efficient EVs in the US this year.
Since EREVs still have internal combustion engines, the tech will be phased out as 100% EV powertrains and batteries progress.
Will EREVs help or hurt Hyundai in the US? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images
U.S. crude oil futures fell more than 4% on Sunday, after OPEC+ agreed to surge production for a second month.
U.S. crude was down $2.49, or 4.27%, to $55.80 a barrel shortly after trading opened. Global benchmark Brent fell $2.39, or 3.9%, to $58.90 per barrel. Oil prices have fallen more than 20% this year.
The eight producers in the group, led by Saudi Arabia, agreed on Saturday to increase output by another 411,000 barrels per day in June. The decision comes a month after OPEC+ surprised the market by agreeing to surge production in May by the same amount.
The June production hike is nearly triple the 140,000 bpd that Goldman Sachs had originally forecast. OPEC+ is bringing more than 800,000 bpd of additional supply to the market over the course of two months.
Oil prices in April posted the biggest monthly loss since 2021, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have raised fears of a recession that will slow demand at the same time that OPEC+ is quickly increasing supply.
Oilfield service firms such as Baker Hughes and SLB are expecting investment in exploration and production to decline this year due to the weak price environment.
“The prospects of an oversupplied oil market, rising tariffs, uncertainty in Mexico and activity weakness in Saudi Arabia are collectively constraining international upstream spending levels,” Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call on April 25.
Oil majors Chevron and Exxon reported first-quarter earnings last week that fell compared to the same period in 2024 due to lower oil prices.
Goldman is forecasting that U.S. crude and Brent prices will average $59 and $63 per barrel, respectively, this year.
In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.
Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.
“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”
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Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.
“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”
The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.
The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”
Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.
Electrek’s Take
ComEd press conference at Chicago Drives Electric, 2024; by the author.
Bodo G-Wagon electric golf cart; via Mecum Auctions.
With a fully-enclosed, G-Wagen-inspired body and an 80 mile electric range, the Bodo G-Wagon golf cart is the NEV you need when you decide it’s time to get serous one-upping the rest of the Palm Beach country clubbers.
The shiny black 2024 Bodo G-Wagon sold at Mecum Auctions last month for $31,900, which seems like it might not be a lot of money to the sort of person who decides to take a flyer on a goofy, limited-use EV that ships with real, metal doors, power windows, heating and air conditioning, fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment, and a “posh,” caramel leather interior.
It even has windshield wipers, power steering, and a rear-seat entertainment system that’s built into the front headrests!
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It’s really nice in there
Under the hood, the Bodo packs a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor drawing power from a 10 kWh li-ion battery that won’t deliver a scorching 0-60 mph time (it only goes 35), but will deliver you and your buddies from one end of any golf course in North America and back several times over, thanks to the G-Wagon’s 80 mile range.
The official Mecum Auctions listing goes into a bit more detail, and I’ve included it here, in case it gets deleted after a while and you’re just finding this for the first time in 2027:
Be the envy of any country club or golf community showing up with this 2024 Bodo G-Wagon Golf Cart. Perhaps more appropriately known as an E-Wagon, this baby G-Wagon is powered by a 15kW motor with a 10kWh lithium battery. Boasting an 80-mile range and a 35 MPH top speed, the Bodo is an enclosed, luxury golf cart that pampers occupants with heating and air conditioning, rear-seat entertainment, power windows, power locks and a posh, caramel-colored interior. With the Bodo fitted with power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes with brake boost, drivers will think they’re in a full-size G-Wagon, thanks to the multiscreen entertainment cluster, the rearview camera, windshield wipers, turn signals, running lights and so much more.
Finished in black with the right amount of brightwork, the overall vibe is one of jaw-dropping, smile-inducing fun. While the Bodo would be an excellent choice for any golf community, it should also prove to be hugely popular around a race track or car condo community as well, or maybe even a neighborhood with its own airplane runways. Over the past decade in particular, the demand for unique, luxury golf carts has been on the rise, and understandably so. The number of luxury communities with specific interests in sports, aero and auto has also been on the rise, with people buying homes in these exclusive locations to better engage with like-minded people. All too often a golf cart is the perfect way to get around these gated neighborhoods, and this one is enclosed, comes with the amenities of a full-size car and is infinitely more stylish.
You can check out a few more photos of the 2024 Bodo G-Wagon golf cart that sold at Mecum, below – and if you want one for yourself, you’re in luck! I found this brand-new 2025 “G600 E-Wagon” (in white) for $23,900 at Gulf Carts in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Head on down to the comments and let us know if you buy it.
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