Electric Cars: The Basics
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The All-Electric Hyundai Inster SUV
The Hyundai Motor Company, usually referred to simply as Hyundai, is a leading South Korean automotive manufacturer headquartered in Seoul. The company was founded in 1967, with its first model, the Cortina (in collaboration with Ford Motor Company), launched in 1968. The Cortina was assembled in the Ulsan plant in South Korea. Hyundai has come a long way since then, and currently owns a 33.88% stake in Kia Corporation, and also wholly owns the luxury automotive brand, Genesis, among others.
Hyundai has an annual production capacity of over 1.6 million units, making the automotive manufacturer the third-largest in terms of production behind the Japanese automotive manufacturer, Toyota and the German automotive group, Volkswagen. Hyundai has production facilities across a number of global locations. Some of these include: North America, India, Russia, Turkey, China and the Czech republic. Hyundai vehicles are sold in nearly 200 countries globally. The company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- All-electric Hyundai IONIQ
- All-electric Hyundai Kona
- All-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5
- All-electric Hyundai IONIQ 6
- All-electric Hyundai Inster
- Hyundai IONIQ Plug-In Hybrid
- Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid
- Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The trend in launching SUVs, in particular, compact all-electric SUVs continues unabated. The all-electric sub-compact Hyundai Inster SUV is an excellent example. Some may prefer categorising this A-Segment electric vehicle (EV) as a hatchback, but Hyundai markets it as a SUV. It is not the first, nor will it be the last automotive manufacturer to adopt such a marketing strategy. For those families keen on a compact SUV family electric car, the other options worth consideration are: Citroën ë-C3, Ford Capri, MG4 EV and the Kia EV3. We at e-zoomed encourage those living in cities and towns to opt for a compact vehicle, instead of a larger vehicle. So many advantages: easy to drive, easy to park, lower cost of lifetime ownership and lower life-cycle emissions.
The genesis of the five-door Inster BEV is from the Hyundai Casper crossover SUV, sold only in South Korea. The petrol-powered Casper was revealed in September 2021. Both the Casper and Inster are targeted at the urban driver i.e. a city cars, with the Inster having a longer wheelbase (2.58m) compared to the Casper (2.40m). The pure electric Hyundai Inster was launched in June 2024 at the Busan International Mobility Show (South Korea). According to the company, the name is derived from ‘intimate’ and ‘innovative’. It certainly seems to be both!
In terms of onboard equipment and technology, the battery-electric city SUV has much to offer. As standard, the BEV incorporates: EV heat pump, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 10.25″ touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital cluster, cruise control and more. Also, as standard are a number of safety features: highway drive assist, lane following assist, rear view monitor, parking sensors (rear), forward collision avoidance assist, manual speed limit assist, intelligent speed limit assist and driver status monitor. The EV is yet to be awarded the Euro NCAP Safety Rating. There is an option for vehicle-to-load (V2L) bi-directional capability, perfect for charging electrical devices on the go.
The Inster EV is available in two EV battery sizes: the entry-level 42 kWh (266 V), and the 49 kWh (310 V) long range. However, we are perplexed by this, as the difference in electric range between the two options is marginal. According to Hyundai, the 42 kWh has a 300 km (WLTP) range, while the 49 kWh has a 355 km (WLTP) e-range. Adjusting for real-world driving conditions, you can expect the 42 kWh to achieve up to 260 km on a single charge, and for the 49 kWh expect up to 310 km. In any case, both options offer more than adequate electric range for most day-to-day driving needs in a city, and also for motorway driving. All variants offer up to 120 kW DC rapid charging as standard, more than sufficient, given the battery sizes for this EV (10%-80%: 30 minutes). At 50 kW DC charging it will take 58 minutes to achieve an 80% charge.
The Inster incorporates as standard a three-phase (11 kW AC) onboard AC charger. For homes and business with access to three-phase power supply, the 42 kWh can be charged from 0%-100% in 4 hours, and for the 49 kWh it will take up to 4 hours 35 minutes for a full charge. Single-phase EV charging will take longer. We at e-zoomed encourage EV owners to install on-site (home or business) solar PV and battery storage. It is a fantastic way to leverage the potential for lower cost of ownership of an electric car, and also achieve ‘well-to-wheel’ zero-tailpipe emissions. We at e-zoomed offer a number of fantastic solar PV and battery storage bundle offers!
The interior uses sustainable materials. An approach that is now commonplace among global automotive manufacturers. The Inster electric incorporates recycled paint, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from bottles and bio-polypropylene material extracted from sugarcane. The four-seat Inster is the smallest Hyundai electric vehicle. According to the manufacturer, “The INSTER is positioned between traditional A-segment city cars and larger B-segment models’.
The Inster BEV is 3.82m long and 1.57m tall. In comparison, the all-electric compact Kia EV3 is 4.3m long and 1.57m tall. The Inster has a 238 L boot, which can be expanded up to 351 L with the sliding rear seats (the rear seats can be moved forward by 16cm). If the seats are folded flat, the capacity increases to 1,059 L. All seats in the EV can be folded flat, to include the driver’s seat! The second row seats can also be reclined. Despite the sub-compact body, the Inster electric does feel spacious, with ample headroom and legroom. The flat floor and higher SUV roof does the trick! The Inster does not have a frunk. As for the exterior styling, we have mixed feelings. The front is certainly cute, to include the LED daytime running lights, but we are not so fond of the side view. We leave it to you to decide!
All variants are front-wheel drive (FWD), with a single-motor powertrain i.e. the electric motor drives the front wheels. The entry-level Inster (42 kWh) can achieve 0-100 km/h in 11.7 seconds (maximum power: 97 ps/ torque: 147 Nm), while the longer range Inster (49 kWh) can achieve 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds (maximum power: 115 ps/ torque: 147 Nm). The top speed of the electric car is 150 km/h. For the driver there is good all-round visibility, to include the rear-view. The manufacturer has plans to offer in due course, the Inster Cross, a more rugged looking variant for outdoor excursions!
The Inster BEV is certainly an affordable electric car. Prices start from € 18,995. “Good things come in small packages”, certainly hold true for the all-electric Hyundai Inster. Company car drivers can also take advantage of the pure electric car. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Decent electric range and 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard | Exterior styling like Marmite, love it or hate it! |
| Loads of technology and equipment as standard (heat pump as standard) | Only four seats |
| Value for money/ affordable | Small boot/ no frunk |
Gallery
The All-Electric Hyundai Inster SUV (credit: Hyundai)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Vehicle Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| Hyundai Inster Signature 42kW (from € 18,995) |
| Hyundai Inster Elegance 49kW (from € 21,995) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion Polymer |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in two battery sizes: 42 kWh/ 49 kWh |
| Charging: | 120 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard AC charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 4 hrs 0 mins/ 4 hrs 35 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 km |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity: 16.7 kWh | € 4.00 |
| Battery net capacity: 30.0 kWh | € 7.19 |
| Battery net capacity: 39.2 kWh | € 9.39 |
| Battery net capacity: 45.0 kWh | € 10.78 |
| Battery net capacity: 50.0 kWh | € 11.98 |
| Battery net capacity: 64.0 kWh | € 15.34 |
| Battery net capacity: 71.0 kWh | € 17.01 |
| Battery net capacity: 77.0 kWh | € 18.45 |
| Battery net capacity: 90.0 kWh | € 21.57 |
| Battery net capacity: 100.0 kWh | € 23.97 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in Ireland varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for Ireland is 23.97 cents/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1575 |
| Width (mm): | 1610 |
| Length (mm): | 3825 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2580 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 10.6 |
| Boot Capacity (L): | 238 (up to 351 L with sliding rear seats) |
| Frunk (L): | N/A |
| Standard range 42 kWh | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 42 kWh |
| Electric Range (WLTP): | 300 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 14.3 – 15.3 |
| Charging: | 120 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard AC charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 4 hrs 0 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 140 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h | 11.7 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 71.1 |
| Max Power (PS): | 97 |
| Torque (Nm): | 147 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,305 – 1,393 |
| Towing Capacity (Braked/Unbraked)/ (kg): | N/A |
| Colours: | 9 |
| Euro NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
| Long range 49 kWh | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 49 kWh |
| Electric Range (WLTP): | 355 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 14.3 – 15.3 |
| Charging: | 120 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard AC charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 4 hrs 35 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 150 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h | 10.6 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 85 |
| Max Power (PS): | 115 |
| Torque (Nm): | 147 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,335 – 1,423 |
| Towing Capacity (Braked/Unbraked)/ (kg): | N/A |
| Colours: | 9 |
| Euro NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Air Quality: An Overview
If there is one common theme that unites many of us, it is the concern over worsening air quality in our villages, towns and cities. This concern is not unique to Ireland, but a narrative that is now firmly centre stage globally. The detrimental health consequences of higher pollution, in particular, on the vulnerable, like children and the elderly is significant, and well documented.
According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), the PM2.5 concentration in Ireland is currently 1.6 times higher than the WHO annual air quality guideline value. WHO has described air pollution as the ‘single biggest environmental health risk’, leading to an increase in the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
Electric vehicles and in particular, zero-tailpipe emission EVs, also known as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), help improve local air quality i.e. a pure electric car does not have a tailpipe/ exhaust, hence, zero-tailpipe emissions! Without an iota of doubt, all types of EVs, to include, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), are better for improving air quality, compared to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles. We encourage all drivers in Ireland to migrate to lower emission electric driving.
| Type Of Pollutants |
|---|
| Particulate matter (PM or PM 2.5) |
| Ammonia (NH3) |
| Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) |
| Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) |
| Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCS) |
| Primary Sources Of Pollutants |
|---|
| Road transportation |
| Industrial processes |
| Farming and agricultural processes |
| Waste industry |
| Energy generation |
| Domestic burning |
| Other forms of transportation, such as aviation, shipping and railroads |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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