This compliance Hyundai Ioniq 5 meant to game the system is one of just 30 EVs made for the Canadian market
by Stephen Rivers
1 hour ago
by Stephen Rivers
Normally, rare cars are kind of fun to own but that isn’t the case when the car you buy is largely neutered of its most important abilities. That’s the case with one such buyer and one such Hyundai Ioniq 5 in Canada. A dealer sold a very rare example of the car which in this case has no ability to utilize DC fast charging.
As the transition toward electrification continues, DC fast charging comes standard on just about every new EV. While many consumers will use Level 2 charging at home to keep a battery topped off, it can take such a charger several hours to do that job. DC fast charging can charge an Ioniq 5 from 10 percent up to 80 percent in a little over 20 minutes.
That makes it perfect for longer journeys and it’s the reason that, again, just about every new EV has DC fast charging capability. It isn’t a part of the very rare Essential trim level of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 though. Evidently, the automaker only sold about 30 of these but that was basically the plan all along.
More: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N To Be Unveiled At Goodwood In July
Photos Ioniqforum user Buttermerck
The Ioniq 5 Essential is what’s considered a compliance car in the industry. Hyundai priced it at $44,999 CAD ($33,200 USD) in order to qualify for Canada’s iZEV credit. Once the credit purchasing limit increased to $55,000 the automaker was able to scrap the limited-production trim altogether.
That didn’t stop this dealer from selling one such example to Hyundai Ioniq forum user Buttermerk who says they were never made aware of this glaring omission. In fact, when they first posted, other users balked at the idea that such a car even existed. Only when Buttermerk removed an interior cover revealing the single orange cord associated with level 2 charging did some believe them.
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According to The Drive, Hyundai says that the dealer in question is holding an Ioniq 5 with DC fast charging for the customer in question. What exactly the terms of the swap might be is still unknown. Either way, let this be a lesson, always confirm features on a vehicle purchase.
