Hyundai has announced its plans to launch a hybrid variant of the Elantra in South Korea in July 2009. The car will be powered by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and lithium polymer batteries. The hybrid Elantra offers an advantage over gasoline-powered hybrids such as the Prius since LPG prices are lower than gasoline prices.
"Comparing operating costs among different types of hybrid vehicles currently available in the market place, the Elantra LPI HEV promises to be the cheapest of all to run," the company stated in a press release. Hyundai also stated that the hybrid Elantra will not be sold in North America for the time being. The automaker also plans to release a gasoline-powered mid-size hybrid sedan in 2010.
[Source: Reuters]
