SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group said Sunday it has sold more than 500,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in South Korea since launching its first model in July 2011. The milestone underscores the nation’s long-standing push for a greener transportation system, backed by government subsidies and growing infrastructure.
As of March 2025, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis had sold a cumulative total of 502,036 EVs domestically. Hyundai, including its luxury arm Genesis, accounted for 291,608 units, while Kia sold 210,428. Models built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) represented 215,058 units, or 43 percent of total EV sales.
Sales accelerated in 2021 with the debut of the Ioniq 5 and EV6 -- Hyundai and Kia’s first vehicles using the E-GMP platform. That year, combined sales hit 71,447 units, marking a 160 percent jump from 2020. Momentum carried into 2022 with a record 119,791 units, and continued in 2023 with 111,911. However, sales dipped to 85,203 in 2024 amid a market-wide slump often referred to as the "EV chasm."
The market showed signs of recovery in early 2025. Hyundai and Kia sold 23,159 EVs in the first quarter, up 75 percent from the same period last year, aided by the early allocation of government subsidies.
Hyundai’s investment in fast-charging infrastructure has also helped spur demand. The company introduced its E-pit ultra-fast charging system in 2011, which delivers roughly 100 kilometers of range in five minutes for E-GMP vehicles. By March 2024, 286 E-pit chargers had been installed at highway rest stops, with the number expected to reach 500 by year-end.
Top-selling E-GMP models include the Ioniq 5 with 83,555 units, EV6 with 64,491, Ioniq 6 with 26,446, and EV3 with 18,569. The Ioniq 5 earned the title "2022 World Car of the Year," and the EV6 was named "2023 North American Car of the Year," showcasing Hyundai’s competitive edge in the global EV market.
Kia’s EV3, a compact electric SUV, emerged as a strong performer in early 2025. It was named "2025 Korea Car of the Year" and led Hyundai and Kia’s first-quarter EV sales with 5,718 units.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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