Hyundai Plans To Overhaul Fuel Systems In Coming Years

Hyundai officials recently offered some details about its ambitious plans to offer more than two dozen alternatively fueled vehicles over the next five years.

Byung Ki Ahn, the South Korean automaker's eco-vehicle development director, told the Detroit Free Press that Hyundai plans to put 26 such cars and SUVs on sale by 2020, including 10 hybrids, eight plug-in hybrids, six all-electric vehicles and two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The first step, the Free Press notes, is the introduction of the Ioniq, which will go on sale in the U.S. later this year.

Hyundai announced last year that the Ioniq will feature the first-ever automotive architecture that can accommodate hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains.

The hybrid versions will particularly target the longtime leader in that segment — the Toyota Prius — but Hyundai officials also said that its electric Ioniq will boast a better range than rival models from Nissan and Volkswagen.

By 2020, Hyundai expects one of its six forthcoming all-electric vehicles to best the 200 miles per single charge range of the Chevrolet Bolt.

Hyundai's plans coincide with the launch of six vehicles for its Genesis luxury line — at least one of which will be all-electric.