Hyundai and its automotive sibling Kia plan to respectively introduce plug-in hybrid versions of the Sonata and Optima sedans with 2013 models.
Plug-in hybrids can be recharged at home from the mains supply, unlike conventional gasoline-electric hybrid cars are recharged only when the driver applies the brakes.
Hyundai and Kia until now have focused more on fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles rather the trend toward electric vehicles.
Hyundai plans to launch its hybrid version of the Sonata, its first global hybrid model, in South Korea in May. Kia is expected to debut the Optima Hybrid the same month.
Article Last Updated: April 4, 2011.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
