Selling propane is an important part of the “King of the Hill” world.  If all goes as planned, it will also creep more prevalently into the real world, especially in South Korea.

In March, Hyundai announced plans to “begin its first mass production with the compact-sized LPG model, the Avante (Elantra) LPI (Liqufied Petroleum Injection) hybrid, a car that uses both Liquefied Petroleum Gas and electricity.”

Liquefied petroleum gas, better known as propane, is currently far below the radar as alternative vehicle fuel sources go, but the abundance of it in South Korea is enough to keep the plan rolling.  To hedge their bets, Hyundai has kept the announcements and plans rolling out regarding the full fervor of their electric and hybrid initiatives.

They have just partnered with Korean companies LG Chem, SK Energy and SB LiMotive for battery development to achieve their 2010 hybrid goal and 2013 plugin deadline. They are spending hundreds of millions of dollars towards the technology to catch up with the Japanese automakers.  The government is also getting involved, throwing $40 million at it in hopes of keeping the momentum that their prized international company has built up over the last few years.

While Toyota and Honda still stake claim to the top two spots in the hybrid market, Hyundai hopes to beat General Motors and Mitsubishi in the electric car race.

With all of the excitement swirling around electric cars, does propane really stand a chance at fueling a mass of vehicles on American and European roads?  Chances are slim, but don’t tell that to Hank Hill.

The real story that will effect the automotive industry worldwide will be the development of the first lithium-ion hybrid.  It is in smart advances such as this that will propel Hyundai to the next level and turn LG into a dominant force in the battery market.

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Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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