Charging stations for electric vehicles are increasing across Hawai‘i. While that lays the groundwork for future sales of electric cars in the state, another location in the Asia Pacific is moving even faster. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
Electric vehicles are some of the biggest draws at this year’s Seoul Motor Show.
Organizers say about a fifth of the vehicles on display are electric and they’re not just coming from Korean automakers.
Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Honda, Lexus and GM Korea are all displaying their latest electric wares.
Many other autos at the show are hybrids; there’s even a fuel cell concept car.
The emphasis on green technology is a reminder that South Korea wants to raise the share of environmentally friendly cars in the domestic market to 20 percent by the year 2020 – up from about 2 percent in 2015.
Of course there are other featured vehicles at the Motor Show.
SsanangYong Motors is Korea’s smallest automaker – now a subsidiary of an Indian company: Mahindra and Mahindra. SsangYong is showing off its new premium Sport Utility Vehicle...definitely not powered by electricity.
And Hyundai announced it will introduce a small SUV in June with a piece of Hawai‘i attached.
The name of the newest model: The Kona…as in Hawai‘i Island.
A company news release says the Kona model’s “dynamic character” matches “the island’s energetic image and unique lifestyle.”
