ABOUT 1000 owners of Hyundai Kona Electric and Ioniq variants have a global-first offer with an exclusive partnership between the Australian arm of the South Korean car-maker and energy provider Origin for discounted home solar systems.

The national scheme, just launched by Hyundai Motor Company Australia and Origin, can save EV owners about $750 on a home solar system used to charge the cars and provide supplementary energy for the household.

Under the offer that started in late August and will end on December 31, Hyundai EV owners of new and used Kona Electric and the three Ioniq versions can choose from three Origin solar systems.

There are separate offers for owners who already have solar panels or are not eligible for solar.

The offers are: $750 off a 5kW or larger Origin solar system, including those bundled with an LG Chem RESU battery; or $500 off Origin solar systems smaller than 5kW.

EV and plug-in hybrid owners with an existing solar system can get up to $500 off a battery from Origin, or access Origin’s high feed-in-tariff plan.

If owners cannot install a solar system – for example, if in an apartment – owners will be offered discounted Origin energy packages.

HMCA manager of marketing, PR, sponsorship and events, Guido Schenken, said the campaign has only just started but enquiries are coming through Origin and being directed to Hyundai.

He said that more than 800 examples of the Kona Electric and the three Ioniq versions – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV – have been sold in Australia and that 1000 could potentially be on the road before the end of the Origin offer in December.

“We also have a view that this can become a long-term offer to our customers,” he said.

“The partnership with Origin is exclusive to Hyundai and available to owners around Australia.”

HMCA CEO JW Lee said: “We are delighted to partner with leading energy provider Origin, to complement the environmental credentials of our eco-vehicle range, with solar offers that could provide further savings on customers’ home and car energy costs.”

Origin Retail executive general manager Jon Briskin said: “Origin is committed to transitioning to a smarter energy future. We’re pleased to partner with Hyundai to support electric vehicle drivers to take another step towards sustainability with new Origin solar energy offers.”

By Neil Dowling