Hyundai Upcoming Electric Cars in India 2026-27: New EV Launch, Price, Features and Timeline

Hyundai is preparing to extend its electric-car range in India with a new compact electric SUV. The upcoming model is significant for the brand as it will take Hyundai's EV portfolio into a more affordable segment. At present, Hyundai India's electric range consists of the CRETA Electric and IONIQ 5. The company has now confirmed plans for a new locally developed and manufactured compact electric SUV, expected to arrive towards the end of 2026 or within the 2026–27 financial year. 

Hyundai has also recently confirmed that its India EV portfolio will continue to expand. The upcoming EV is currently known by its internal codename HE1i. Hyundai has not yet announced its production name, exact price or complete technical specifications. However, details about its positioning, platform, technology and launch timeline are available. The new EV could be particularly important as India's electric SUV market moves towards smaller and more affordable models.

What's New About Hyundai's Plan for India?

The biggest recent development is that Hyundai's new compact electric SUV could arrive earlier than previously expected. At Hyundai Motor Company's 2026 CEO Investor Day, the company outlined plans for an India-focused A-segment SUV EV. Earlier timeline placed the vehicle within FY2026–27, with a debut by March 2027.  However, Hyundai Motor India MD and CEO Tarun Garg has since indicated that the new EV is expected to debut by the end of 2026.  The upcoming model is one of the most important Hyundai launches to watch in the second half of 2026. 

Another important update concerns the battery supply. Hyundai originally planned to use locally sourced battery cells from Exide for the project. According to recent reporting, the company will initially use Svolt-supplied cells to avoid delaying the vehicle's launch, with the longer-term plan still involving greater local battery sourcing. The upcoming EV has also been spotted testing in India. Hyundai has officially confirmed that the model will feature a next-generation infotainment system and Level 2 assisted-driving technology. 

The company has also positioned it as an India-focused product rather than simply importing an existing global EV. This is an important change in Hyundai's EV strategy. Instead of focusing mainly on premium or mid-size electric vehicles, the company is preparing to enter a segment where a large number of Indian buyers are looking for affordable electric SUVs.

Upcoming Hyundai EV Cars in India 2026–27

Here are the upcoming Hyundai EV Cars discussed in detail, including launch time, price, features, and more. 

1. Hyundai HE1i Compact Electric SUV

The HE1i is currently the main confirmed upcoming Hyundai EV for India in the 2026-27 period. Hyundai has not revealed its production name yet, so the HE1i codename is being used to identify the vehicle. It is being developed as a compact, India-focused electric SUV and is expected to sit below the CRETA Electric in Hyundai's product range. The model is expected to be manufactured at Hyundai's Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu. Reports indicate that it will use Hyundai's E-GMP (K) architecture, a dedicated EV platform related to the architecture used by the global Hyundai Inster.

Expected launch timeline

The latest information points towards a late-2026 launch, although Hyundai has not announced a specific launch date. Hyundai's official roadmap had placed the model within the FY2026-27 period, while recent comments from Hyundai India's leadership suggest that the company is targeting a debut before the end of calendar year 2026. If there are production or homologation changes, the launch could move into early 2027. Therefore, the safest current timeline is late 2026 to early 2027.

Expected price

Hyundai has not announced the price of the HE1i. However, its smaller dimensions and positioning below the CRETA Electric indicate that Hyundai is targeting the more affordable electric SUV market. Reports have suggested that the model could be positioned around the ₹10 lakh price region, but this should be treated only as an estimate until Hyundai announces the official price. The final price will depend heavily on the battery size, localisation level, variant structure and equipment. If Hyundai manages to keep the starting price close to the lower end of the compact EV market, the new model could directly challenge established electric SUVs from Tata and Mahindra.

Battery and range

Hyundai has not yet announced the India-spec battery capacity or certified range. The company is expected to offer the SUV in standard-range and long-range versions, giving buyers different options based on their budget and driving requirements. For comparison, the international Hyundai Inster is available with 42kWh and 49kWh battery options, with claimed WLTP ranges of around 300km and 355km respectively. 

However, these are global Inster figures and should not be treated as confirmed specifications for the Indian HE1i. The India-spec model could receive different battery capacity, software calibration and efficiency settings. 

Expected features

Hyundai has already confirmed some important technology for the new model. The upcoming EV is expected to receive:

• Next-generation infotainment system
• Level 2 assisted-driving technology
• Modern connected-car functions
• Digital displays
• Multiple drive and charging-related functions
• EV-specific energy management features
• A dedicated electric architecture

The Level 2 ADAS could become one of the vehicle's biggest selling points. However, Hyundai has not yet revealed the complete ADAS feature list for the India-spec version.

The new infotainment system is also expected to bring a more modern software experience compared with Hyundai's older systems.

Platform and engineering

The HE1i is expected to use Hyundai's E-GMP (K) platform, which is related to the dedicated EV architecture used by the global Inster. Using an EV-specific architecture allows Hyundai to package the battery and electric motor specifically around an electric powertrain. The Indian version is also being developed with local requirements in mind. This could help Hyundai optimise the vehicle for Indian road conditions, traffic patterns and customer expectations rather than simply bringing an international model unchanged.

2. Hyundai IONIQ 3: Is It Coming to India?

No, the IONIQ 3 is another upcoming Hyundai EV, but it needs to be treated separately from the HE1i. Hyundai has confirmed the IONIQ 3 as a new electric model focused on the European market. At present, there is no confirmed India launch announcement for the IONIQ 3. Therefore, it should not be included as a confirmed 2026–27 India launch. The distinction is important because Hyundai has several EVs in development globally, but not every global model is planned for India. 

For Indian buyers, the HE1i is the much more relevant upcoming EV because Hyundai has specifically confirmed the India-focused compact SUV. If Hyundai later decides to bring the IONIQ 3 to India, it could add another electric model to the range, but there is currently not enough official information to give it a confirmed Indian launch timeline or price.

Also check: Best Electric SUVs Under ₹25 Lakh in India

Hyundai EV Lineup: Where the New Model Will Fit

The upcoming compact EV will help Hyundai create a wider electric-car portfolio in India. Currently, the CRETA Electric serves the mainstream electric SUV market, while the IONIQ 5 sits at the premium end. Hyundai's official India EV page currently lists these two models. The new compact EV will add a smaller and more affordable option. This could give Hyundai three different EV positions:

• Compact EV: Upcoming HE1i
• Mid-size EV SUV: CRETA Electric
• Premium EV: IONIQ 5

This broader lineup could allow Hyundai to reach buyers with very different budgets without depending on one electric model. The strategy is also important because compact SUVs are among the most popular vehicle formats in India's passenger-car market.

Also check: Hyundai Creta Electric Lounge Edition Launched in India

Future Plan of Hyundai

The upcoming compact EV is part of a much larger plan for Hyundai rather than being a standalone launch. At its 2026 CEO Investor Day, Hyundai announced an ambitious global product strategy that includes more than 100 new models and refreshed products by 2030. The company is also targeting an electrified-vehicle share of 60% of global sales by 2030, compared with 23% in 2025. India is expected to play an important role in this expansion.

More local development in India

Hyundai wants India to become an increasingly important development and manufacturing base. The new compact EV is particularly significant because it is being designed and localised for India, rather than being positioned simply as an imported product. Hyundai's India strategy also involves increasing local sourcing. The company has stated that it aims to reach around 90% local vehicle content by 2030, supported by its Indian supplier and engineering network. Greater localisation can help Hyundai reduce dependence on imported components and potentially improve cost competitiveness.

More electrified models

Hyundai's future strategy is not limited to battery EVs. The company is working on a broader mix of electrified technologies, including hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles. Globally, Hyundai plans to introduce its first Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) models from the first half of 2027. These vehicles are designed to combine electric driving with an onboard engine that can generate electricity when required. However, Hyundai has not confirmed that these global EREV products will be launched in India during 2026–27. For India, the immediate focus remains on expanding the battery-electric portfolio.

Charging infrastructure

Hyundai is also working on the charging ecosystem. The company recently expanded its EV charging efforts in Delhi by installing 120kW DC fast chargers in partnership with Statiq. The chargers can be accessed through the myHyundai app and other charging-management platforms. This is relevant because a larger EV portfolio needs supporting infrastructure. For customers considering an EV, charging availability is almost as important as the vehicle's battery range. Hyundai's investment in charging can therefore help support its upcoming EV launches.

A larger EV portfolio by 2030

Hyundai's long-term objective is to offer EVs across several price and vehicle segments rather than limiting electric models to premium cars. For India, this could eventually mean more compact EVs, SUVs and other body styles as the market develops. The HE1i is an important first step in that direction because it takes Hyundai into a more accessible segment where EV volumes can potentially be much higher than in the premium category.

Should You Wait for the New Hyundai EV?

For buyers planning to purchase a compact electric SUV in the near future, waiting for Hyundai's new model could make sense, particularly if the purchase timeline is flexible. The biggest reason is its positioning. The HE1i is expected to be smaller and more affordable than the CRETA Electric while still offering modern Hyundai technology. The company has already confirmed Level 2 assisted-driving technology and a next-generation infotainment system, which could make the model competitive on features. 

The expected late-2026 launch also means buyers will not have to wait several years. For someone who needs an EV immediately, waiting may not be practical. The current CRETA Electric and other compact EVs are already available. But if the buyer wants a smaller Hyundai EV and can wait until late 2026 or early 2027, the HE1i is worth watching.

Final Verdict

Hyundai's upcoming compact electric SUV could become one of the brand's most important EV launches in India. The key reason is its positioning. Instead of competing only in the mid-size and premium EV categories, Hyundai is preparing to enter a more accessible segment with an India-focused electric SUV. The model, currently known as HE1i, is expected to debut around the end of 2026, with the possibility of the launch moving into early 2027. Hyundai has confirmed that it will be locally developed and manufactured. 

Recent reports indicate that the vehicle will use the E-GMP (K) architecture and be available in standard-range and long-range versions. For now, the HE1i is the main Hyundai EV to watch in India for 2026–27. If Hyundai manages to combine competitive pricing, useful range, strong localisation and the brand's established service network, the new compact EV could give the company a much stronger position in India's growing mass-market electric vehicle segment. Not only this, but Hyundai is planning to expand its EV models and other advanced technologies in the coming years. 

Also check: Upcoming Electric SUVs in India 2026-2027