Hyundai 'to have electric car first in NZ'

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GETZ GETS ELECTRIC: Hyundai says it will be the first automotive manufacturer to offer new electric cars for sale in any volume in this country.

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Hyundai says it will be the first automotive manufacturer to offer new electric cars for sale in any volume in this country.

Hyundai said today its first fully electric, plug-in version of the Getz, had been sold for delivery in November.

Retrofitting cars by removing the petrol engine and fitting batteries and an electric motor would be done in this country.

The electric Getz had a top speed of 120kmh, with a range of 120km on a single charge with a fast charge extending the range for a day's running to about 200km.

The project was a collaboration with engineer Ross Blade, who developed the Getz retro-fit electric car. He would be setting up a production facility based around a projected sales base of more than 200 vehicles a year.

- NZPA