National Highways has taken delivery of four Hyundai Ioniq 9 SUVs to evaluate if they are suitable for Traffic Officer duties.
The trial will deploy the flagship electric SUV on England’s motorways and major A-roads. Being electric, the Hyundai can undertake traffic officer duties without producing any tailpipe emissions.
Depending on the outcome of the trial, National Highways could place further orders for the Hyundai Ioniq 9 later in 2026.
Before then, however, the seven-seat SUV will be assessed against a range of criteria. These include its electric range, recharging time and ability to carry the loads required to deal with emergencies on the road network.
Ioniq 9 is put to work
Launched in late 2024, the Ioniq 9 is Hyundai’s largest electric SUV, featuring a huge 110.3kWh battery and a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive layouts.
With a slippery drag coefficient of 0.259 Cd in standard form, the Ioniq 9 covers up to 385 miles on a full charge, depending on specification. Using a 350kW DC rapid charger can replenish its battery from 0 to 80 percent in just 24 minutes.
A towing capacity of up to 2,500kg is also likely to make the SUV attractive to National Highways, as will a 980-litre luggage capacity with the third row of seats folded flat.
Each of the four Hyundais being assessed by National Highways has been professionally converted to traffic officer specification. This puts them on the same footing as vehicles such as the Volvo XC90 and Tesla Model Y – both currently found on the fleet.
Vital work with zero emissions
Richell Vehicle Conversions (RVC) gave the test Ioniq 9 SUVs a full National Highways livery, emergency lighting and a full suite of onboard communication equipment.
A dedicated 240Ah lithium auxiliary battery provides power for the light bar, 100W bullhorn and extensive array of amber and red warning LEDs found across the Hyundai’s exterior.
Ashley Andrew, president of Hyundai and Genesis UK, said: “This trial demonstrates Ioniq 9’s capability in demanding real-world roles, combining zero-emission performance, practicality and rapid charging to support National Highways’ vital work.”
In 2021, National Highways committed to 75 percent of its car and van fleet being powered by electric or hybrid powertrains by 2025. This target increases to 100 percent by 2030.
Along with trialling fully electric vehicles for traffic officers, National Highways also aims to install more than 330 dedicated EV chargers at strategic locations across England.
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