Hyundai Plan Plug-in Hybrid for 2012

Having recently teamed up with LG Chem for large format Li-ion batteries and announcing the LPI Hybrid Avante Hyundai have now added a Plug-In hybrid to their production plans.

According to company R&D President Yang Woong-chu, Hyundai plans to bring its Blue-Will concept into production.

"We're going after Prius and the Volt with the plug-in," he said.

The Blue-Will combines a 1.6 L gas engine with a 100 kw electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries that will be supplied by LG Chem. LG Chem is also supplying the Chevy Volt's batteries.

The plug-in parallel hybrid will travel up to 38 miles electric-only and will get between 50 and 55 MPG in gas-electric mode.

"We want to be the leader in fuel economy and alternative fuels," said Yang . "We want to show our technology and improve our image, not necessarily make money on hybrids.

The vehicle will appear under the Hyundai brand in the US in late 2012. Planned production volumes are unknown.

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