Hyundai is developing a compact electric SUV, codenamed HE1i, to expand its EV lineup in India below the Creta Electric.
The SUV is expected to be built in India, with reports suggesting it may initially use battery cells from China’s Svolt before switching to locally made Exide cells.
Hyundai has confirmed Level 2 driver assistance and next-generation infotainment, while the price, battery capacity and driving range remain unannounced.
Electric cars have recently made up about 7 percent of passenger vehicle sales in India, according to Hyundai India CEO Tarun Garg. At Hyundai itself, the share was about 1 percent in FY26. That gap explains the HE1i, a compact electric SUV that Hyundai plans to design and build in India. The Hyundai compact electric SUV will sit below the Creta Electric.
Autocar India reports that EVs made up about 1 percent of its domestic sales in FY26. Outlook Business reports that Mahindra reached about 12 percent in the same year. The Hyundai Creta Electric is improving, with about 1,000 sales in August against 400 to 500 a month earlier. Those figures show the size of the gap. Autocar India says the new SUV gives Hyundai a share of the more accessible segment of the EV market.
The new SUV also takes a different path. Garg calls it the first EV developed and designed for India. Autocar Professional reports that Hyundai expects EVs to account for more than 7 percent of its domestic sales within the next year. That figure counts the new SUV, the Creta Electric, and the Ioniq 5 together.
Hyundai's global CEO, Jose Munoz, announced a compact SUV that is 'designed and localized in India.'Two features are confirmed. One is Level 2 driver assistance, which helps with steering and speed while the driver stays in control.
The other is a next-generation infotainment system. Hyundai has not shared the price, the size, the battery, or the driving range.
The Hyundai electric SUV launch date has three versions in circulation.
| Source | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Hyundai investor day | By March 2027 |
| Tarun Garg to Autocar Professional | By the end of 2026 |
| Autocar India, citing sources | January 2027 |
January 2027 is the latest reported date.
Reports say Hyundai will build the HE1i at its Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu. It will share a platform, the basic skeleton of a car, with the overseas Inster EV. Garg says the SUV will meet the requirements of the government's PLI incentive scheme from day one. The scheme offers incentives on eligible sales of qualifying vehicles made in India.
Local production can help control costs. It does not guarantee a low showroom price. Battery costs, production volumes, and Hyundai's own pricing choices also matter.
The battery plan is the most telling detail. Autocar India reports that the first cars will use cells from China's Svolt. Hyundai plans to switch later to cells made in India by Exide.
Garg says the car is ready with Svolt cells and that waiting could have delayed the launch. Hyundai appears to have chosen speed over a fully local supply chain at the start. The effect on price is unknown.
The Hyundai electric SUV range has not been announced for India. Reports say the car will come in standard and long-range versions. The overseas Inster offers a useful reference. It delivers about 300 km on a 42 kWh battery and up to 355 km on a 49 kWh battery.
A kWh measures battery size, much like the size of a fuel tank. These are lab figures for a different car. They do not confirm the India model's specifications. Real roads usually give less.
Range needs depend on the driver. A city commuter covers short distances each day. A highway traveler needs a bigger battery. Charging access matters just as much. An owner with a home charger has an easier experience than one who depends on public stations.
Purchase price is only one part of EV ownership. Buyers should also compare battery warranty terms, electricity costs, insurance, and service support. Crash-test ratings and standard safety equipment deserve equal attention. Driver-assist features cannot replace a strong, well-tested body.
Hyundai has not announced a price, so any number online is a guess. The Hyundai electric SUV price will be central to its competitiveness. Reports name the Tata Nexon EV, the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV, and the Kia Syros EV as expected rivals. Garg expects buyers to care more over time about the ownership experience, such as connectivity.
Also Read: Electric Car Sales September 2026: Brand-Wise Registrations and Market Share
Buyers will watch for an official launch date, the price compared with the Nexon EV, the battery size and certified range, safety ratings, and the timing of the switch from Svolt to Exide cells. Until then, the Hyundai compact electric SUV is a promising plan, not a proven product.
Garg has described 2026 and 2027 as the two trigger years for EVs in India. Cars that arrive in this window will shape what first-time buyers expect. Charging networks, battery warranties, and service quality will carry as much weight as the badge. The HE1i will show whether a global brand can meet those expectations at a mass-market price.
1. When will Hyundai launch its compact electric SUV in India
Hyundai’s official plan is a debut by March 2027. Tarun Garg told Autocar Professional that it could arrive by the end of 2026. Autocar India, citing sources, reports January 2027. Hyundai has not confirmed an exact date.
2. What is the Hyundai HE1i?
HE1i is the codename for Hyundai’s compact electric SUV for India. It will sit below the Creta Electric. Hyundai says it is designed and localized in India. Reports say it will be built at the Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu.
3. How much will the Hyundai electric SUV cost?
Hyundai has not announced a price. Any figure online is a guess. Reports name the Tata Nexon EV, the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV and the Kia Syros EV as expected rivals. Buyers will need the official price to make a fair comparison.
4. What driving range will it offer?
Hyundai has not shared range figures for India. Reports say the car will come in standard and long-range versions. The overseas Inster offers about 300 km on a 42 kWh battery and up to 355 km on a 49 kWh battery. These are lab figures for a different car. They do not confirm the India model’s range.
5. Which battery cells will the SUV use?
Autocar India reports that the first cars will use cells from China’s Svolt. Hyundai plans to switch later to cells made in India by Exide. Garg says the car is ready with Svolt cells and that waiting could have delayed the launch. Hyundai has not confirmed when the switch will happen.