Hyundai, the Korean car giant has been on the headlines of late. Hyundai Motors has hit the jackpot again by unveiling its first hybrid car in its domestic market of South Korea. Christened as the Elantra LPI, this hybrid will use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and a set of lithium-ion polymer batteries.

The Elantra LPI will run 17.8 Km/L of LPG and will emit an amazing 99 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. Hyundai announced that the set of lithium-ion polymer batteries weigh 35% less than current nickel-metal hydride cells used in the Toyota’s Prius, and the Honda’s Insight.

Moreover, these batteries are 40% smaller and are likely to last 1.5 times longer than nickel-metal hydride batteries. These batteries generate less heat and are more resilient to shock than other types of lithium-ion batteries. The batteries don’t have to conform to a set shape as the polymer resembles a gel. This is Hyundai’s solution to the bulkiness of batteries on hybrids, which has been a concern for years.

Hyundai joining the hybrid party with the Elantra LPI, is a stepping stone for world’s fifth carmaker. The launching of Hyundai’s hybrid coincides with new hybrids from Honda and Toyota.

The first hybrid electric model, largely based on the existing Elantra, makes Hyundai the first carmaker on the planet to offer lithium-ion polymer batteries commercially.

Hyundai has received strong interest for the new hybrid car from Australia, India, Italy and France, which have liquefied-petroleum-gas infrastructures.