Is it a van, is it a truck? No, it's a Hyundai ST1, Korea's latest push into the electric van market.
Hot on the heels of the new Kia PV5 launch, from its sister company, Hyundai has been making noises about its own ambitions in the van world with its electric business platform.
The ST1 is said to be a business platform vehicle with uses that can be expanded and optimised depending on the purpose. Pictured in chassis cab form with a box body resembling a Luton van or refrigerated van, Hyundai clearly expects the ST1 to be a versatile base for many customers.
ST1, is said to be stand for ‘Service Type’, while the 1 alludes to it being the first model in a range of other service type vans.
The electric motors are housed under the bonnet, with a driven front axle, enabling the ST1 to have a low rear deck. This will allow a number of body conversion to comfortable sit on the rear chassis. It also gets a utilitarian look with practical black-colored bumpers in all the areas most likely to be damaged.
Hyundai will launch the ST1 as Cargo and Cargo Refrigerated models designed for logistics and delivery markets. It also says that they have been in discussions with a major domestic business since the beginning of the development to ensure that it is fit for purpose.
That approach is simliar to Kia who revealed it was working with Uber on the development of its PV5 Taxi with autonomous driving functionality.
Hyundai is no stranger to the van market. The Hyundai H350 was launched more than a decade ago but never made it to the UK. It did, however, find some success in Europe and was, at a time, perhaps the most credible competitor to a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or Ford Transit.
Held back by dealer network and the fast evolving emissions landscape, it drastically under performed. An electric-only model should have fewer constraints and with Hyundai having announced the beginnings of a fledgling partnership with Iveco, perhaps there will also be a route to market as well.
Hyundai's last van sold in the UK was the Hyundai iLoad, a medium-sized panel van based on the Hyundai i800. Although well regareded the iLoad failed to take off in the UK, largely due to short supply.
Further details of the Hyundai ST1 as well as pricing and specification will be revealed later in the year ahead of its launch in South Korea.
