The electric vehicle market is heating up in the second half of the year with the arrival of two strong competitors: the Casper Electric and the EV3.
The Casper Electric is the electric version of the Casper, with Hyundai significantly increasing its size. The length has been extended by 230mm, and the width has increased by 15mm. The wheelbase is also longer by 180mm. An adult male standing at 175cm can comfortably sit in the second row with ample space, as there is a fist’s-width and an open palm of space in front of his knees. Thanks to the increased size, even sitting in the middle of the second row feels comfortable.
The Casper Electric comes equipped with a 49kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing for a maximum driving range of 315 km when fully charged. After a trip from Seoul’s Meeting Square to Jeonju Hanok Village (201km), there will be a remaining range of 100km. In most parts of the country, additional charging is no longer a concern when driving the Casper Electric.
The price of the Casper Electric starts at 29.9 million won, and with government subsidies, it can be purchased for just over 20 million won.
Kia plans to launch the compact electric vehicle EV3 this month. The EV3 is Kia’s third EV series following the EV6 and EV9. It is built on Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated EV platform, E-GMP.
With compact dimensions of 4,300 x 1,850 x 1,560mm, it might be small, but the spacious interior provides a unique driving experience. The wheelbase measures 2,680mm, giving enough space for a fist’s-width in front of the knees and overhead for rear passengers. While small on the outside, it offers more interior room than anticipated.
The EV3 models come with either a 58.3kWh or an 81.4kWh lithium-ion battery. The standard model with a 58.3kWh battery can achieve a range of up to 350km. Moreover, the long-range model with an 81.4kWh battery can go a maximum of 501km, making it feasible to travel throughout South Korea with the EV3.
The charging time for the EV3 is also quick. Using a 350kW ultra-fast charger, it can charge from 10% to 80% in just 31 minutes for the long-range model and 29 minutes for the standard model. Now, there’s no need to wait long at charging stations; a coffee break is all it takes to fully charge the EV3.
The starting price for the standard EV3 is in the low 40 million won range, but with subsidies, it can be purchased in the mid-30 million won range. The long-range model starts in the low 50 million won bracket but is available for the mid-40 million won range with government assistance.
These challenging times place significant responsibilities on Hyundai’s Casper Electric and Kia’s EV3. Attention is focused on what roles the Casper Electric and EV3 will play in the tough automotive market this second half of the year.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr