National Highways is to begin trials of four all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 9 SUVs on England’s motorways and major A-roads.
The pilot will assess how the seven-seat Ioniq 9 performs in frontline operational use for traffic officers, combining zero tailpipe emissions, long electric range, rapid charging and the load capacity required for emergency response duties.
Richell Vehicle Conversions (RVC) converted the EVs, which feature high-visibility decals, emergency lighting and on-board equipment that traffic officers rely on when responding to incidents.
They incorporate a dedicated 240Ah lithium auxiliary battery system, kept electrically separate from the vehicle’s own battery, to power the emergency warning suite.
This is built around a lightbar, a 100W bullhorn and amber and red warning LEDs, alongside further lighting on the wing mirrors, rear screen and tailgate, plus a flip-up standby traffic commander matrix board for incident messaging.
RVC also engineered a bespoke load-carrying system to house the radio, Inseego telematics and CCTV equipment.
The vehicles are being assessed for operational suitability, equipment integration, charging performance and the ability to support National Highways’ work.
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a seven-seat electric SUV powered by a 110.3kWh battery and offers a WLTP range of up to 385 miles, while its 800V architecture supports ultra-rapid charging – keeping vehicles ready for duty with minimal downtime.
Subject to the outcome of the trial, National Highways is considering further purchases during 2026.
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & 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.”
