HEVs to reach S. Korean market in 2009

South Korea’s first commercial hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) are expected to be sold in the local market next year, the government said. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said Hyundai Motor Co. is conducting test drives using a lithium ion rechargeable battery pack that will be placed on its compact Avante model for commercial production. HEVs combine a conventional propulsion system with an on-board rechargeable energy storage system to achieve better fuel economy than cars that burn only fossil fuels. The ministry, which has injected 39.3 billion won (US$37.83 million) into the research and development of HEVs since 2003, said if the new car makes use of liquefied petroleum gas for its conventional power mode, the fuel economy is expected to be 35% better than cars with ordinary combustion engines. Mileage of these vehicles could reach 16.1 kilometers per liter of gas, compared to 10.5 kilometers for conventional cars. (June 13, 2008)