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Hyundai’s Rising Emissions In Key Markets Like India Risks Fueling Climate Disaster
SEOUL – Hyundai Motor Group’s rising emissions in India and other key markets are endangering the automaker’s carbon neutrality targets, according to a new report from Greenpeace East Asia. [1][2] Between 2018 and 2023, Hyundai-Kia’s total emissions in India increased by 70.5%, reaching the equivalent of New Zealand’s annual emissions, the research finds.
Hyeran Hong, climate and energy campaigner, Greenpeace East Asia, said:
“Hyundai-Kia is often viewed as a global leader in electrification, but this is far from accurate. Between 2018 and 2023, the automaker’s per-vehicle emissions increased in all markets outside of Europe and South Korea, with the biggest jump reported in India. Hyundai-Kia is the second largest automaker in India and recently launched the biggest IPO in the country’s history. [3] However, a failure to set emissions reduction targets for India and other significant markets has put the automaker on a highway to climate disaster.”
Sharat M S, climate energy campaigner, Greenpeace India, said:
“With the growing air pollution crisis in cities like Delhi, it is imperative for automakers to make stronger commitments towards phasing out combustion engine vehicles in the Indian market. India’s vision for mobility centers on creating a sustainable, inclusive, and efficient transportation ecosystem that not only drives electrification but also strengthens public transport infrastructure. Automakers must foster mobility solutions to contribute to India’s road emissions reductions and help build a cleaner and greener future.”
Key Findings from the report:
– Between 2018 and 2023, Hyundai-Kia’s emissions per vehicle sold increased in all markets outside of Europe and South Korea. Hyundai-Kia’s per-vehicle emissions in India rose 9.4% during this period, marking the most significant growth of any region.
– Hyundai-Kia’s per-vehicle emissions increase in India is attributed to the automaker’s minimal electrification progress in the country and the increased sales of larger vehicles, such as SUVs. During the first half of 2024, electric vehicles accounted for just one in 1000 vehicles sold by Hyundai-Kia in India.
– Hyundai-Kia’s total emissions in India increased by 70.5% between 2018 and 2023, reaching the equivalent of New Zealand’s annual emissions. The increase in India was 4.6 times greater than the emissions reduced in Europe, eclipsing Hyundai-Kia’s emissions progress in Europe during the same period. Between 2018 and 2023, Hyundai-Kia’s sales in India increased by 55.8%. [4]
–In 2021, Hyundai-Kia pledged to achieve carbon neutrality worldwide by 2045; however, between 2021 and 2023, Hyundai-Kia’s emissions decreased by less than one percent globally. If this trend continues, Hyundai-Kia is projected to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2280 – a delay of over two centuries. [5]
“Hyundai-Kia’s 2045 carbon neutrality roadmap lacks specific electrification targets for India and other ‘emerging markets,’ calling into question the automaker’s commitment to climate action. [6] Hyundai-Kia must set targets for phasing out combustion engine vehicles in all markets to ensure that its growth does not come at the cost of the climate,” said Hong.
Table 1. Hyundai-Kia’s per vehicle tailpipe emissions across markets
| Market (as defined by Hyundai) | 2018 per vehicle emissions (g/km) |
2023 per vehicle emissions (g/km) |
5-Year Difference (g/km)(2018 – 2023) |
Percentage Difference (2018 – 2023) |
| India | 155.3 | 169.9 | +14.6 | +9.4 |
| Russia and CIS countries | 175.5 | 183.5 | +8.0 | +4.5 |
| North America | 183.0 | 185.3 | +2.3 | +1.3 |
| Middle East and Africa | 168.7 | 170.9 | +2.1 | +1.3 |
| China | 170.2 | 172.1 | +1.9 | +1.1 |
| Central and South America | 151.7 | 153.2 | +1.5 | +1.0 |
| Asia Pacific | 190.3 | 190.6 | +0.4 | +0.2 |
| South Korea | 199.0 | 181.3 | -17.7 | -8.9 |
| Europe | 153.0 | 129.1 | -23.9 | -15.6 |
Emissions calculated using data from Marklines, the European Environmental Agency (EEA), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Hyundai and Kia’s official websites and other sources. Details are available in the ‘methodology’ section of the report.
Notes
Full report is available here.
[1] The research encompasses Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia — brands under Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai Motor Group is hereafter referred to as “Hyundai-Kia.”
[2] Researchers estimate tank-to-wheel CO₂ emissions from vehicles sold, accounting for 79% of the group’s total emissions. The analysis encompasses light-duty vehicles, including cars and light trucks, and utilizes data from sources including MarkLines, the European Environmental Agency (EEA), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Hyundai and Kia’s official websites to estimate real-world emissions. Average per vehicle emissions and total emissions are calculated for each market each year between 2018 and 2023, based on Hyundai’s official market categorization.
[3]
[4] Source: MarkLines
[5] The analysis assumes that when Hyundai-Kia achieves carbon neutrality, the automaker’s fleetwide tailpipe emission will be 0 g/km.
[6] Sources: Hyundai’s 2024 Sustainability Report, Kia’s 2024 Sustainability Report
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