An electric vehicle packed with Hyundai Motor Company's cutting-edge technology, priced in the 20 million KRW range.

This is the phrase that best describes Hyundai's compact electric vehicle, Casper Electric. To usher in the era of mass adoption for electric vehicles, there must be a product accessible to consumers at least in the mid-20 million KRW range. At the same time, it is essential to equip the car with advanced features that satisfy trend-sensitive EV owners.

Hyundai is positioning the Casper Electric as the vanguard of the mass-market EV era. As of September, the Casper Electric is the most affordable model in Hyundai's EV lineup, yet it is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. There is even a joke that it is a 'class-defying' model that crosses the boundaries of its segment. Hyundai has maximized the value of the Casper Electric to overcome the 'EV chasm'?a temporary slowdown in demand before mass adoption. On the 20th of last month, I had the opportunity to test-drive the Casper Electric in the Goyang area of Gyeonggi Province.

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◆ Sudden acceleration and EV fire prevention technology applied = Recently, the automotive industry has been abuzz with safety issues such as suspected sudden acceleration incidents and electric vehicle battery fires. Hyundai has equipped the new Casper Electric with advanced technology that exceeds its class to alleviate consumer safety concerns.

The most notable feature is the Pedal Misapplication Safety Assist (PMSA) system, which can help prevent accidents caused by suspected sudden acceleration. If the driver mistakenly presses the accelerator instead of the brake and fully depresses it, the system detects obstacles within 1 meter in front or behind the vehicle and brings the car to a stop.

I had a chance to experience the pedal misapplication prevention function. With an obstacle placed in front of the vehicle, I pressed the accelerator pedal all the way down, but the car did not move at all. Since there was clearly an obstacle, the system determined that fully pressing the accelerator was a driver error.

Another advanced safety feature is the battery pre-diagnosis technology. By operating the Battery Management System (BMS), the vehicle monitors the battery status in real time during parking, charging, and driving, and notifies the owner via text message if any abnormality is detected. The vehicle autonomously controls micro short circuits or overcharging of battery cells, which could cause battery fires.

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◆ Casper EV sheds its compact car label, offers spacious interior = Another strength of the Casper Electric is its generous use of space compared to other vehicles in its class. I sat in the rear seat of the Casper Electric. For a reporter who is 160cm tall, there was more than enough space in front of the knees and above the head. The rear seatback can also be reclined, making the back seat wide and comfortable for a compact car.

This sense of spaciousness is thanks to the Casper Electric being 230mm longer in overall length and 180mm longer in wheelbase compared to the internal combustion version. With the increased length, rear passengers have more room to move. In addition, the rear seats can slide forward and backward, allowing the trunk space to be freely adjusted. The cargo capacity of the Casper Electric is 280 liters, which is 47 liters more than the internal combustion Casper. By sliding the rear seats forward, the capacity can be increased to a maximum of 351 liters.

So, is it possible to sleep in the car with the Casper Electric? To answer directly, 'solo car camping' is possible. You can stretch your legs and relax inside the car, and it can easily accommodate long items like golf bags or surfboards. By folding down both the first and second row seats, you get ample space for camping. The vehicle is also equipped with a large battery (49kWh) for its class, and features V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology, which allows you to use the car's electricity to power external devices.

The Casper Electric has extended the overall length by 230mm and the wheelbase by 180mm compared to the existing internal combustion engine version, increasing the front-to-back length of the vehicle and expanding the space for rear seat passengers to move.

The Casper Electric is equipped with a motor that delivers a maximum output of 84.5 kW and a maximum torque of 147 Nm. With a 49 kWh lithium-ion battery made by LG Energy Solution, it can travel 315 km on a single charge. The 315 km range is the distance from Seoul to Gwangju. The battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes.

◆ Futuristic design, driving performance, and ride quality all pass the test = The most noticeable exterior change from the internal combustion model is the pixel graphic applied to the front and rear lamps. This graphic design, also used on Hyundai's flagship EV model, the Ioniq 5, creates a sense of unity across the EV lineup and gives a futuristic impression.

I sat in the driver's seat and drove the Casper Electric. The large 10.25-inch display, the interactive steering wheel that shows vehicle status such as remaining charge, the column-type gear selector, and the surround view monitor that assists with parking are all features rarely found in entry-level compact cars and left a strong impression.

Driving performance was also impressive. As a compact EV, it moved smoothly and nimbly, and acceleration was quick. The Casper Electric is equipped with a motor that delivers a maximum output of 84.5kWh and peak torque of 147Nm. With the 49kWh lithium-ion battery made by LG Energy Solution, the vehicle can travel 315km on a single charge. 315km is the distance from Seoul to Gwangju. The battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes.

That day, the daytime temperature soared to 35 degrees Celsius?a hot summer day. I turned the air conditioner to maximum and drove around the Goyang and Paju areas of Gyeonggi Province. Even during highway driving, the vehicle achieved an energy efficiency of 6.8km/kWh. The official efficiency rating for this car is 5.6km/kWh (based on combined efficiency with 15-inch tires).

The biggest strength of this car is its competitive price. After tax benefits, the launch price is 29.9 million KRW, putting it in the 20 million KRW range. With a national subsidy of 5.2 million KRW and additional local government subsidies, it can be purchased for the low to mid-20 million KRW range.