Hyundai Motor Co. said it will follow its new electric car due later this year in the U.S. with another one in 2018 that has at least 200 miles of electric range.

Hyundai is selling a hybrid and fully electric version of a car called the Ioniq later this year. The electric version will travel 120 to 130 miles on a charge, putting it ahead of cars like Volkswagen AG's eGolf and Nissan Motor Co.'s Leaf. However, in just two more years, it will be followed by a longer-range electric car, said Byung Ki Ahn, director of Hyundai Motor Group's electric, hybrid and fuel cell development group in an interview.

Hyundai adds to a growing list of car companies rolling out longer-range electric cars as a means to attract customers who are concerned that they could run out of charge and be stranded. Tesla Motors Inc.'s success in wooing customers with cars that can travel up to 290 miles and be recharged in less than an hour has been influential in the industry.

Hyundai's announcement, however, also throws more competition to Tesla, which is trying to roll out a new 200-mile range electric sedan called the Model 3 by late 2017.

General Motors Co. will begin selling a new 200-mile range car later this year called the Chevrolet Bolt. Nissan and Audi also have committed to longer range electric cars in the 2018 time frame.

Write to Mike Ramsey at michael.ramsey@wsj.com

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 24, 2016 15:25 ET (19:25 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.