Hyundai Motor Company is set to introduce a new electric micro SUV tailored specifically for the Indian market, aiming for a 2026 launch as part of its strategy to expand its electric vehicle (EV) lineup.
According to a report by Autocar Professional, the South Korean automaker is developing the EV codenamed ‘HE1i’ to directly compete with Tata’s Punch.ev in India. Unlike its existing models like the Inster (Casper EV), Hyundai will differentiate the HE1i by catering to local customer preferences rather than deriving it from petrol-powered or other electric vehicle platforms.
The HE1i will be built on Hyundai’s born-electric car platform, leveraging the E-GMP (K) platform, and is expected to offer consumers two battery pack options. Manufacturing will take place at Hyundai’s facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, with an annual production target of 65,000 units, including a significant portion earmarked for export markets.
In a bid to localize production and reduce costs, Hyundai plans to source battery cells for the HE1i from Exide Energy Solutions Limited (EESL), a subsidiary of Exide Industries. EESL is currently developing India’s first giga battery cell plant in Bengaluru, Karnataka, aimed at achieving an annual production capacity of 12 GWh by 2025.
While drawing design elements from the Inster, such as pixel-graphic dual-function lights and 17-inch alloy wheels, Hyundai intends to streamline features for the HE1i to better align with Indian market demands. Features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel, present in global models, may be omitted to enhance affordability.
Hyundai plans to position the HE1i competitively against the Tata Punch.ev, priced around ₹10,98,999 (approximately €12,000) in its base configuration. Ahead of the HE1i’s launch, Hyundai is scheduled to introduce an all-electric variant of its popular Creta SUV in January 2025, further bolstering its EV portfolio in India.
