How does the electrification of SUVs reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and by how much?

In recent months, sales in all segments of the automotive industry have been declining due to various economic conditions. However, there is one notable exception: a group of SUVs that successfully withstand all crises, benefiting from the push for electrification on a global scale.

Since their appearance, SUVs have exceeded the expectations of those who saw them as just a passing trend, becoming the driving force behind the automotive industry . Between 2010 and 2018, their global market share increased from 17% to 39%. Today, according to data from the International Energy Agency (IAE), almost half of the vehicles sold worldwide are SUVs, with a market share of 46% . They are the only segment whose registrations have continued to increase in the United States, India and Europe, despite recent complex economic circumstances such as the pandemic, trade tensions and inflation.

Consumption and emissions in the age of SUVs

Indeed, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) continue to dominate the automotive industry. So where is the problem, if there is one? Five years ago, some environmental agencies, such as Transport & Environment, already highlighted the challenge posed by the higher weight of SUVs in the market. They contribute to increased carbon dioxide emissions from two main sources: the increased fuel consumption of these vehicles, which increases the demand for oil, and direct emissions from tailpipes. As an example, the T&E agency wanted to illustrate this problem by pointing out that SUVs around the world generate around 700 million tonnes of CO2, a figure greater than the combined annual emissions of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

The comparisons and criticisms were imbued with a certain irrationality and an element of randomness. This broadcast volume is not a simple fantasy that can be solved overnight. It requires specific evolution , a challenge that some industry-leading manufacturers such as Hyundai have faced for years, implementing electrification plans that leverage all five electric technologies available. If we examine the reasons for the success of SUVs, which are not simply an obstacle in our path, it can be an opportunity to accelerate the transition to clean mobility .

Thus, Hyundai's electric strategy has been extended to its entire range, fully affecting the most popular SUV models not only of the brand, but also of the entire national market. Indeed, the electrified versions of the Hyundai TUCSON , which was the best-selling model in Spain in 2022, recorded more registrations than the combustion versions. This represents the essential first step in reversing the emissions trend.

How much is consumption reduced with electrification? An analysis by type of technology

We will examine how the various models of the Korean manufacturer contribute to the reduction of consumption and emissions. We'll take advantage of the variety of engines available, ranging from traditional combustion engines to electric versions, in their SUV lineup. What is the impact of each type of technology on fuel economy and emissions?

48V mild hybrids

Mild hybrid models, considered the first and lightest electric technology, incorporate a propulsion assistance system comprising a 48V battery and a soft-start hybrid generator. This configuration allows a reduction in consumption of up to 7% . Although this margin may seem small, the real advantage of this system lies in its ease of implementation and its integration without additional cost, especially on an industrial level. These models are also ECO labeled, which is an added advantage.

At Hyundai, these models are available in seven different models. In addition, the manufacturer has perfected these models by incorporating innovations such as Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology , which allows the efficiency of mild hybrids to be optimized according to the type of road and driving style.

For example, the Hyundai BAYON, equipped with a 48V system including a 0.46 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 10 kW generator , reduces its consumption in the urban WLTP cycle (at low speed) by about 0.3 l /100km . The Hyundai TUCSON, which is also equipped with this system, saves up to 7% in emissions and consumption . Taking as a reference the version with the 1.6 T-DGi petrol engine and a manual gearbox, the approved consumption is 6.7 l/100 km and the CO2 emissions are 148 g/km. Applying the savings from Hyundai's mild hybrid solution, these figures could be reduced to around 6.3 l/100 km and 138 g/km.

Conventional hybrids (HEV)

The next step in electrification is to integrate a classic hybrid drive. This original hybrid technology has reached a high level of maturity and efficiency , with a higher capacity self-charging battery and, more importantly, an electric motor that directly powers the movement of the vehicle, making it also eligible for the distinction . ECO . What is the reduction in consumption according to the homologation figures?

When it comes to HEV hybrids, we're looking at versions of the Hyundai KONA. While the 1.0 TGDi petrol version has an approved consumption of 5.6 l/100 km , the average consumption is reduced to 4.9 l/100 km in the case of the hybrid.

As for the hybrid version of the Hyundai TUCSON, it is capable of reducing fuel consumption and has an average WLTP consumption of 5.6 l/100 km and 127 g/km of emissions .

Plug-in hybrids (PHEV)

Plug-in hybrids reach two significant milestones in this trend to improve journey efficiency. The most crucial and beneficial element of these motors, from an efficiency point of view, is their ability to travel a considerable distance in fully electric mode. In fact, many drivers can use this mode to meet their daily city commuting needs, recharge overnight, and consume no gas.

This is why, once their range exceeds 40 kilometres, these models are called " ZERO ". This is the case with Hyundai's plug-in models, which all offer an electric range of around 60 km. Thus, fully exploiting the potential of plug-in hybrids depends on drivers and their charging possibilities.

These circumstances make the approval figures a benchmark, although not absolute , regarding the use of PHEV technology. Typically, the figure obtained during homologation is the result of battery drain in full electric mode. Once this is done, the combustion engine kicks in and its consumption/emissions are calculated until it reaches 100 kilometres.

Two Hyundai models are equipped with this electric motor:

• The Hyundai TUCSON plug-in hybrid, which manages to reduce its consumption and emissions to 1.4 l/100 km and 31 g/km respectively, with a range of 62 kilometers in fully electric mode.

• The Hyundai SANTA FE plug-in hybrid, for its part, maintains a consumption of 1.6 l/100 km , CO2 emissions of 36.9 g/km and a battery capable of supplying exclusively electric energy for 58 kilometers .

The present is electric, but the future is something else

If other companies follow Hyundai's strategy , the extra emissions margin of SUVs will gradually decline, which will benefit drivers by reducing fuel costs and other vehicle ownership expenses. According to the International Energy Agency (IAE), the introduction of SUVs resulted in a 20% increase in emissions compared to a situation where this type of vehicle would never have been on the market.

In the years to come, it will be crucial to follow the progression of hybrid models which continue to conquer the market , while giving all-electric models time to reach a maturity already in progress, as we are already seeing with models such as the IONIQ 5 , offering approved ranges of up to 507 kilometres . And that's just the beginning.

Hyundai is aiming for the year 2035 , where in Europe they will only sell two types of all-electric models: those running on pure electricity and those equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell to power the electric motor. Hyundai is perhaps the most advanced and experienced manufacturer in this latest technology, with the Hyundai NEXO , another SUV that is at the forefront of the hydrogen mobility revolution .

Either way, it's clear that electrification has gone from being an option to a must . This is one of the main reasons why models such as the Hyundai TUCSON dominate the market. Thanks to their electrification possibilities, they meet the current needs of transition to clean mobility while offering savings and unprecedented levels of consumption for the SUV segment.