Hyundai Motor UK has supplied four electric Ioniq 9 SUVs to National Highways for a vehicle trial on England’s motorways and major A-roads.
The trial will assess how the seven-seat Ioniq 9 performs in frontline operational use for traffic officer duties, combining long electric range, rapid charging and the load capacity required for emergency response duties.
They were converted by Richell Vehicle Conversions (RVC), complete with high-visibility decals, emergency lighting and on-board equipment that traffic officers rely on when responding to incidents and supporting road users.
The conversion incorporates 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 an array of 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.
In traffic officer specification, the vehicle is being assessed for operational suitability, equipment integration, charging performance and the ability to support National Highways’ work while producing zero tailpipe emissions in operation.
The Ioniq 9 is powered by a 110.3kWh battery and offers a WLTP range of up to 385 miles, while its 800V architecture supports ultra-rapid charging.
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.”
