Hyundai leads the charge in the green car space with new “Charge Here” mobile EV recharging service

MONTREAL, Oct. 5, 2018 /CNW/ – Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. is proud to announce its “Hyundai Charge Here” mobile battery electric vehicle recharging service is now available in Montreal and Quebec City. The process for a charge is as simple as getting an emergency supply of gas from a roadside assistance program. Charge Here removes the worry of running out of power while on the road and is a historic step in making greener vehicles more accessible and driver-friendly. The service uses three Hyundai IONIQ electric vehicles as mobile donor cars to provide approximately 7kW of charge – an estimated 40km of range – to the recipient vehicle in as little as 20 minutes.

“As the auto industry moves toward a more sustainable, eco-friendly future, we couldn’t be more proud to launch Charge Here,” said Don Romano, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada. “When we speak with consumers about battery electric vehicles, many wondered what support they would receive if they ran out of stored energy. To ease those concerns and give them more peace-of-mind, we decided to launch this new service. Charge Here removes any worry about being stranded when driving an electric vehicle.”

The Charge Here service will be an extension of the company’s roadside assistance program administered by long term strategic partner Club Auto and operated in the province by CAA Quebec. After a call is placed for assistance, a Hyundai IONIQ with a power inverter in the trunk is sent to the location and provides the car with approximately 7kW of power, allowing the car to drive up to 40 km. While Charge Here was designed for the Hyundai IONIQ EV, the service will also work with other electric vehicles that have an SAE J1772 Combo Charging System connector.

“Connecting to the future of automotive mobility is a tag line that we reference every day,” states Brad Kellock, Director of Business Development at Club Auto. “Providing a positive experience to those who want to use innovative and eco-friendly mobility solutions is paramount as the auto industry rapidly increases investment in alternative modes of transportation. Club Auto is privileged to partner with Hyundai Auto Canada and applaud their willingness to take a leadership position in this space with the launch of the Charge Here program.”

Charge Here is made possible by a specially-designed, trunk-mounted converter that’s about the size of a large suitcase, two Level 3 EV charging cables, and a software update to the Ioniq EV to serve as a donor vehicle. The donor Ioniq EV has been programed to allow a reversal of electrical flow from its battery through the charge port to the converter at speeds similar to a Level 3 charging station.

“Montreal and the Quebec market strongly support the transformation toward a zero-emissions future,” said Romano. “We are eager to see the success of this program in the market as we look toward a greener future for Canada as a whole.”

Hyundai continues to be a leader in the green vehicle space. In 2014, Hyundai became the first to bring a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, the Tucson Fuel Cell, to Canadian consumers. The company has also unveiled its second-generation fuel cell vehicle, the NEXO SUV. In 2017, the Hyundai IONIQ became the first vehicle in the world to offer three distinct electrified powertrains on a single, dedicated vehicle platform – the IONIQ Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Battery Electric. Hyundai’s approach for the IONIQ line delivers an uncompromising design and driving experience coupled with the latest in safety and green technologies, making it an appealing choice for a wide range of buyers.

For more information please visit www.hyundaicanada.com.

HYUNDAI AUTO CANADA CORP.

Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 210 dealerships nationwide. Hyundai will also be the first to offer a second-generation zero-emissions Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle to Canadian customers, called the NEXO. More information about Hyundai and its vehicles can be found at www.HyundaiCanada.com.