Hyundai Kona Electric latest car to have range corrected following WLTP error

The Hyundai Kona Electric has become the latest car to have its driving range corrected after an error during the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

Initial WLTP testing found the Kona offered 190 miles of range in 39kWh guise and 312 miles when equipped with the 64kWh motor. However, the organisation responsible for the process ‘accidentally provided an incorrect testing methodology’, which led to the EV being tested for a disproportionate time on the ‘Urban’ cycle, resulting in an overestimation the car’s true range.

Following a correction, both Kona Electric models now have a lower claimed range of 180 and 279 miles respectively. Hyundai says no other vehicles it offers have been affected by the error and is ‘taking this matter seriously’.

The news follows the same issue occurring for Kia, Hyundai’s sister firm, and its upcoming electric crossover, the e-Niro.

The electric crossover, which shares electric components with the Kona, is also reported to have spent a disproportionate time on the ‘Urban’ cycle. Range has been corrected from 301 miles to 282 miles for its 64kWh option, while 39kWh models now have a claimed 179 miles instead of the previous 193.

Neither firm has confirmed if the same independent organisation was used for WLTP testing of each vehicle.

WLTP regulations are applied to all new vehicles sold from September 1, 2018 and were introduced in an effort to provide more realistic efficiency information to customers — replacing the previous New European Driving Cycle standard.