[THE INVESTOR] Hyundai Motor said on Aug. 17 it plans to introduce a full-electric vehicle for the luxury Genesis marque in 2021 as part of its latest big push to expand its eco-friendly range.

“We are preparing to launch a high-performance, long-range Genesis EV in 2021,” said Lee Ki-sang, Hyundai’s senior vice president in charge of eco-car powertrain division. 

He was speaking at an event in Seoul to unveil the carmaker’s as-yet unnamed next-generation fuel-cell SUV, which the company plans to roll out next year.

The plans for the Genesis vehicle, however, are all still under wraps. Lee added he could not disclose further information, including the car type and what type of batteries will be used, for the carmaker’s premium EV.

“We expect the range of the new EV will exceed 500 kilometers on a single charge,” Lee told The Investor.

The new plan for the Genesis EV comes amid the Korean auto giant’s attempt to catch up with global rivals in the EV race as well as seeking a new growth engine.

Hyundai Motor Group, which includes both Hyundai and Kia, said it plans to roll out 31 eco-friendly vehicles by 2020, up from last year’s announcement of 28 models. The lineup includes 10 hybrid electric cars, 11 plug-in hybrids, eight pure EVs and 2 FCEVs.

As part of its renewed goal, the carmaker said it would release an EV version of the Kona compact SUV in the first half of next year, with a range of up to 390 kilometers. Following the Genesis EV launch in 2021, it plans to unveil another long-range EV with a range of more than 500 kilometers after 2021.

The company is also developing a dedicated EV platform, which will allow Hyundai and Kia to offer multiple long-range models in the future.

Hyundai’s latest FCEV that was unveiled on the day boasts a 580-kilometer driving range on a single charge. The carmaker plans to begin sales next year.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)