Less emissions, more flexibility.

Hybrid powertrains offer the fun of electric acceleration, increased fuel efficiency, and all the flexibility of a petrol car. Plug-in hybrids have more battery capacity and offer a longer all-electric driving range with zero tailpipe emissions.

What is the difference?

Regular hybrids run primarily on fossil fuels, but get some electrical energy from regenerative braking. Plug-in hybrids have a larger, rechargeable battery, allowing for longer pure electric driving ranges (depending on conditions).

Hybrid

Hybrid technology.

Depending on the driving situation, Hyundai hybrid cars switches seamlessly between its petrol engine and electric motor. The regenerative braking system charges the battery by using the electric motor to slow the car. The energy stored in the battery then powers the electric motor to help in acceleration, uphill driving and low speed driving.
  1. The electric motor helping accelerate.

    Start/ Low Speed.

    When starting or driving at low speed, the electricity stored in the battery powers the electric motor to accelerate the car.
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  1. The electric motor and petrol engine working in parallel.

    Acceleration/Uphill.

    During heavy acceleration or driving uphill, the electric motor and petrol engine work in parallel to maximise acceleration and minimise fuel consumption. 1
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  1. The electric motor or petrol engine powering the car.

    Constant Speed.

    At constant speeds, power is provided by either the petrol engine or the electric motor, whichever is the most energy-efficient in that situation.
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  1. The regenerative braking system charges the battery while slowing the car.

    Deceleration/Downhill.

    The regenerative braking system charges the battery by using the electric motor to slow the car. When decelerating or driving downhill, the energy generated is stored in the battery.
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Charging while driving: regenerative braking.

All hybrid and electric cars charge the lithium-ion battery by using the electric motor as a generator when the car is being slowed down. With adjustable regenerative breaking, you are in charge of the process.
  1. Graphic illustrating the adjustable recuperative braking functionality in the Hyundai Kona Electric.

    Adjustable regenerative braking.

    Braking is optimised to get the most out of the recuperative braking system, helping Kona Electric maintain a healthy state of charge (SOC). The driver can easily adjust the level of regenerative braking through the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
  2. Graphic illustrating the adjustable recuperative braking functionality in the Hyundai Kona Electric.

    Regenerative braking levels.

    Level 0: Regenerative braking is not in operation and the battery is not being charged. Level 1 to level 3: With each level higher, the car decelerates more using the electric motor, increasing the charging strength at the same time. The higher the level, the more the car slows and charges the battery when you take your foot off the accelerator.
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  1. Graphic illustrating the 1-paddle mode in the new Hyundai Kona Electric.

    1-paddle mode.

    It is also possible to actively brake the car using the paddle shifter. Simply pull the left paddle shifter and hold.
  2. Graphic illustrating the shifter operation in the new Hyundai Kona Electric.

    Hold.

    Pull the left paddle shifter and hold to activate maximum strength regenerative braking. Charging strength is the strongest in this mode.
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  1. Graphic illustrating the smart regenerative braking in the new Hyundai Kona Electric.

    Smart regenerative braking.

    The smart regenerative braking system utilizes the on-board radar sensor to automatically control the level of regenerative braking to react to the traffic ahead. Additionally, it also detects if the car is driving up or downhill and adjusts accordingly.
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Hybrid motor and batteries.

The petrol engine used in hybrids and plug-in hybrids is the same as in non-hybrid cars with their modern engine and transmission technologies. An electric motor and lithium-ion batteries complete the hybrid powertrain.

Plug-in

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Plug-in hybrids have a larger battery (though not as large as a fully-electric vehicle's) on board, which can be recharged by plugging it in. And once the electric-only range is depleted, you can plug into a charging station – or just continue on with the petrol engine. The plug-in then operates as expected on a full hybrid drive system. Compared to a regular hybrid, plug-in hybrids provide a longer electric-only range, meaning that for shorter journeys you may not need to consume any fuel at all!
A Hyundai TUCSON Plug-in Hybrid charging in the yard of a family.

Charging options.

You can either charge your plug-in hybrid at home, with a wallbox or your regular AC charging.
  1. Wallbox of Hyundai.

    Home wall box / AC charging station.

    Depending on your grid connection at home or the type of public charging station you have access to, you have several possibilities for charging, like for example: a home wall box or an AC charging station.

  2. ICCB-cable for domestic power sockets.

    ICCB-cable for domestic power sockets.

    You can also connect to a regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box). Hyundai plug-in hybrids come equipped with a 3.3 kW on-board-charger, which converts AC power from the wall socket to DC power that charges the battery in the vehicle. 2

  3. Charging cable for AC charging stations.

    Charging cable for AC charging stations.

    A charging cable connects your Hyundai plug-in hybrid to public AC charging points. This cable can also be used to connect to a home wall box. 2

    IONIQ 5 charging on a public street.

    Benefit from our IONITY partnership.

    The IONITY network will soon have over 400 fast charging points in Europe, that uses 100% renewable energy.
    More on IONITY and Hyundai

    Our Hybrid Engines.

    Hybrid Engine Combinations Power Torque Combined Power Models
    1.6 GDi Petrol 105 PS 148 Nm

    141 PS

    265 Nm

    KONA Hybrid
      Electric 32 kW | 43.5 PS 169 Nm
    1.6 T-GDi Smartstream Petrol 180 PS 265 Nm

    230 PS

    350 Nm

    TUCSON Hybrid, SANTA FE Hybrid
      Electric 44.2 kW | 60 PS 265 Nm
    1.6 T-GDi Smartstream Petrol 230 PS 265 Nm

    265 PS

    350 Nm

    TUCSON Plug-in Hybrid, SANTA FE Plug-in Hybrid
      Electric 66.9 kW | 91 PS 304 Nm