Hyundai ST-1 is a commercial EV with Staria face

It’s no secret that Hyundai Motor Company is going full speed with EVs, and its models in the passenger vehicle segment have made quite an impression globally.

But now, the Korean auto giant wants to put that expertise into the commercial vehicle segment as they recently revealed the new ST-1 commercial EV platform.

ST1, which stands for Service Type 1, is a commercial EV platform that’s optimized to provide a variety of services and solutions. Much like Toyota’s IMV-0, the Hyundai ST-1 is a cab and chassis type, with its EV battery placed on the ladder frame for a low center of gravity.

The cab part of the ST-1 platform is basically taken from the Staria van. But instead of a diesel engine powering the front wheels, it has an electric motor under the hood. Because of this drivetrain layout, Hyundai is able to maximize the rear end to have a low loading and unloading height for better convenience.

For better airflow which is crucial to maximizing EV range, the ST-1 features a streamlined roof spoiler that connects the cab and the cargo compartment seamlessly.

Along with the cab and chassis variant, there’s also the cargo and cargo refrigerated version of the Hyundai ST-1. These were developed first as vehicles specialized for logistics and delivery businesses, equipped with a general loading box and a refrigerated loading box in the chassis cab, respectively.

For now, Hyundai is yet to reveal the specifications of the electric motor, as well as other details about the ST-1 commercial EV. However, the Korean auto giant said they intend to launch the vehicle in South Korea before the first half of 2024 ends so we won’t be waiting too long for other information.