Hyundai launches the Staria Cargo, a mid-size electric van with a 450 km WLTP range and an 800 V architecture for fast charging. The brand introduces its entry into the eLCV segment as the start of a broader line-up in the growing European electric van market.
The Staria is not a new model for Hyundai, but this electric Cargo version is. The model was originally introduced in 2021, featuring a diesel engine for both the passenger and van versions. At the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, the brand announced a new electric Staria Passenger, and now it introduces a Cargo version.
Promising technical specs
The Hyundai Staria Cargo is fitted with a 160 kW (218 hp) electric motor that drives the front wheels and delivers 350 Nm of torque. A 84 kWh lithium-ion battery gives the van a WLTP range of 450 km, which is a decent range in the current European LCV market.
Moreover, the Staria will be one of the fastest-charging vans on the market. Until the new Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric and the new generation of Mercedes vans based on the VAN.EA platform launch, it will be the only van with an 800 V architecture. While Hyundai does not quote a figure for DC charging power, it does specify 10-80% fast charging in 20 minutes. Given the 84 kWh battery, that’s an impressive figure.
Mid-range load capacity
The Staria Cargo will be available in one single body type, a 3-seater panel van. It offers 5.46 m3 of cargo space, with room for up to 3 Euro pallets. It features double sliding doors, wide enough to allow loading Euro pallets from the side.
But the 84 kWh battery affects the load capacity. With a maximum of 1.040 kg, it is more mid-range than exceptional for the segment. Competitors sometimes offer a battery pack with reduced capacity to increase load capacity, but Hyundai clearly prioritizes driving range. The Staria Cargo can tow up to 2.000 kg.
Passenger vehicle comfort and safety features
Hyundai takes a page from its passenger-car playbook for the comfort and safety features of the Staria Cargo. It is equipped with a modern dashboard featuring a 12.3-inch screen for both the instrument cluster and the central infotainment system.
Standard equipment includes automatic air conditioning, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera, plus the (often legally required) safety systems in the SmartSense pack. Also practical for professional users: a Vehicle-to-Load connection that delivers up to 3.5 kW of power.
‘Just the beginning’
Hyundai Belgium has just announced the Cargo version of the Staria, but the model can already be ordered. It will be delivered from stock very soon. Interestingly, the Hyundai press release states that the Staria Cargo is the first in a full eLCV line-up for the brand in Europe.
This indicates that the South Korean manufacturer sees significant potential in the market, even with fierce Chinese competition looming. And a full line-up could also mean direct competition for sister brand Kia. Kia is building its PBV eLCV family, with the PV5 already being available and the bigger PV7 to be shown at the 2026 IAA Transportation in Hannover.
