Hyundai has officially unveiled the Hyundai STARIA Electric, adding another fully electric people carrier to the growing list of vehicles aimed at passenger transport, shuttle work and commercial use.
According to Hyundai’s official announcement, the STARIA Electric is built around an 84kWh battery paired with a 160kW (218PS) electric motor, delivering a quoted WLTP range of up to around 400km (248 miles). Hyundai also confirmed the use of 800-volt charging architecture, allowing rapid DC charging from 10% to 80% in roughly 20 minutes, a key feature for high-utilisation vehicles such as airport transfer minibuses.
The vehicle retains the STARIA’s distinctive futuristic design and flat-floor interior layout, with Hyundai confirming 7-seat and 9-seat configurations aimed at both private and professional use. Features highlighted include modern driver-assistance systems, advanced infotainment, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, allowing the vehicle to power external equipment when needed.
Hyundai positions the STARIA Electric as a versatile solution for families, businesses and transport operators, signalling a clear move toward electrification in the multi-seat people-mover segment across Europe.
DM News Commentary
For the airport transfer and private hire world, the Hyundai STARIA Electric looks like Hyundai’s answer to the new wave of electric minibuses now coming to market.
It sits neatly alongside vehicles like the Kia PV5, which we recently covered on DM News as a potentially affordable and flexible electric option for airport transfers. Read that review here: KIA PV5 Review
Where the Kia PV5 appears to be targeting cost-conscious owner-drivers and smaller operators, the STARIA Electric feels more suited to larger fleets, executive airport transfers and high-capacity shuttle work, thanks to its 9-seat layout and ultra-fast charging capability. For operators doing long airport runs with quick turnarounds, that 800-volt charging setup could be a major advantage.
What’s clear is that manufacturers are now actively designing electric vehicles specifically with passenger transport in mind, rather than adapting small vans or cars. For airport transfer companies, this means more real-world choices are finally arriving — and competition should help drive prices, specs and availability in the right direction.
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