Nigeria finally joined the league of countries with Electric Vehicles (EV) with the launch of the Hyundai Kona, the first locally assembled Electric vehicle from the stable of Stallion Group/VON’s assembly plant in Lagos.
The pioneering initiative of the Stallion Group opens a new vista of opportunities in the automotive industry as the world gradually phases out the gasoline powered vehicles in response to global climate change and concerted action against emission.
It first debuted in June 2017 while the electric version called the Kona Electric (or Kona EV) was first launched in South Korea in the first half of 2018 before it was rolled out gradually worldwide.
The Kona can go up to a range of 482 km with an acceleration of (0-100 kilometres) in 9.7 seconds on a single battery cycle of a capacity of 64 kilowatt hour (KWH).
The ease of charging has been described as unmatched as it can be plugged in at home or work for 9.35 hours for a full battery. It is 100 per cent electric with zero carbon emission.
Also the running cost is said to be minimal compared to the petrol-powered variant.
For electricity consumers resident in accommodation categorised under R1 where they are charged N45 per kilowatt, it is estimated that Hyundai Kona owners would incur only N3300 for a full charge that will do a running of 482kms, if he or she plugs the car into public power supply.
The charging is also as simple as getting your mobile plugged in at your home or office electrical socket.
According to the manufacturers, the ease of charging is unmatched and can be plugged in at home or work for 9.35 hours for a full battery charge and the power consumption for full charging is 143 WH/KM (68.926 kwh for 482km).
Besides the Hyundai Kona’s electric power-packed performance for providing a thrilling driving experience it also manages to excel with its charging kit capacity of 2.3KW, with a voltage of 230V and frequency of 50Hz. The styling of the vehicle is conventional, the interior is luxurious, and the ride is nearly silent.
The brand head Mr. Gaurav Vasisht further added that Hyundai Kona is a stepping stone towards a greener Lagos. The question often asked is are we ready for Electric Vehicle in Nigeria? I am asking
“Who says we are not ready?”
“Making it affordable and accessible will see most Nigerians adopt in the new normal in today’s time. It will be great to simply charge my car at home like a mobile phone and drive around at no fuel cost. Kona offers just that ease to the consumers.”
Some of the electric features of the Kona include smart key (FOB) and button start; alternator management system (AMS) W.MICOM; battery saver; electric parking brake with auto hold; side plus curtain airbags, child anchor upper and lower ear, child lock manual, halogen head lamp (low projection), auto light control, daytime running light, dedicated LED, position lamp, among several others.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who unveiled the vehicle described it as a 21st century technology which is unmatched. He said electric vehicles are the future of automobiles and vowed that the state government would play its part by partnering with interested firms to set up charging points across the state.
The managing director of Stallion VON Mr. Manish Rohtagi said the arrival of Kona is just a tip of the offerings the Stallion Group has in stock to transform the automobile industry in Nigeria.
