As part of its 2024 joint venture with BAIC, Beijing Hyundai will launch the EO in September, its first EV developed specifically for China. The production model of the electric SUV, formerly known as the Elexio, will be called the EO and is scheduled to hit the Chinese market in September 2025.

Beijing Hyundai reportedly plans to launch more than five all-electric models priced between 100,000 and 300,000 yuan (€ 12,000 to € 36,000) over the next three years.

First ‘Chinese’ EV  from Hyundai

Following an earlier announcement on social media of the then-called Elexio, Beijing Hyundai has now released full details on its first pure electric SUV: It has a new name as well as additional specifications. The EO will launch in September of this year and is the first of several new pure electric models from Beijing Hyundai. Currently, the brand doesn’t sell any BEVs in China, so this is a significant step forward for its activities there.

It was already known that the EO has a driving range of 700km (CLTC), that it is fast charging 30-80% in 27 minutes, that it features crystal-inspired running lights detailing the number 8 (a lucky number in China), a new infotainment system powered by a Qualcomm 8295P, as well as L2+ intelligent driving assistance.

Now, regulatory filings in China have confirmed some of these specs: the running lights are there, as is the 700 km range, thanks to an LFP battery supplied by BYD subsidiary FinDreams, plus the driving assistance capabilities.

The EO will measure 4615 mm long, 1875 mm wide, and 1675 mm tall. It’s going to be available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD); a 160kW motor for the FWD and an additional 73kW rear motor for the AWD, to produce a combined output of 233kW. Both versions will feature a top speed of 185 kph.

In fact, this EO seems to be the Hyundai version of the Kia EV5. Width and length are identical, but this Hyundai is a bit lower in height. The powertrain and charging properties are the same as well.

Around € 18,000 in China?

In terms of price, CarNewsChina has estimated that it’s unlikely to exceed 150,000 yuan (€ 18,000), although Beijing Hyundai has not confirmed this. According to the news site, competition in this price range is fierce, making it challenging for the Beijing Hyundai EO to stand out in China’s highly competitive new energy market.