Hyundai is struggling to keep up with demand for the Ioniq Electric and is reportedly facing a shortage of batteries from LG Chem.
Inside EVs reports that Hyundai initially ordered 7,000 batteries from the Chinese company but following unexpected demand for the electric car, has apparently asked LG Chem to provide it with more batteries.
According to Business Korea, “the company has difficulties in production as the demand of the Ioniq EV turned out to be two times higher than expected due to the EV syndrome at EV contests held by local governments earlier this year. In particular, LG Chem is seeking to boost production to meet the growing demand, but it is struggling to supply batteries to Hyundai Motor as well as other automakers.”
Since launching in South Korea, the Ioniq Electric has quickly become the nation’s best-selling electric vehicle and waiting lists have stretched out to around 5 months. This has led Hyundai to boost production of the EV from 1,200 units a month to 1,800 but a lack of batteries is preventing it from expanding production further.
Released at the start of 2016, the Hyundai Ioniq is available in Hybrid, Plug-In and Electric guises. The latter of the three uses a 28 kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery and electric motor with 118 hp and 218 lb-ft of torque. The automaker quotes a range of over 155 miles (250 km) as well as a 165 km/h (103 mph) top speed.
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