Hyundai IONIQ 9 trialled by National Highways as all-electric Traffic Officer vehicle

• National Highways has taken delivery of four all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 vehicles for trial as Traffic Officer vehicles
• The seven-seat electric SUVs have been converted to full Traffic Officer specification by Richell Vehicle Conversions (RVC)
• Conversion includes National Highways livery and high-visibility decals, emergency lighting and the full complement of on-board equipment required for frontline duties
• Further purchases under consideration during 2026

Hyundai Motor UK has supplied four all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 SUVs to National Highways for a Traffic Officer 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, combining zero tailpipe emissions, long electric range, rapid charging and the load capacity required for emergency response duties.

The four IONIQ 9 vehicles were converted by Richell Vehicle Conversions (RVC), seeing each vehicle finished in National Highways livery, complete with high-visibility decals, emergency lighting and the full suite of 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 extensive 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.

The Hyundai IONIQ 9 is a full-size, seven-seat electric SUV designed to offer long-distance electric capability, flexible interior space and practical load-carrying capacity. 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 - keeping vehicles ready for duty with minimal downtime. Built on Hyundai's dedicated Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), it provides up to 908 litres of load space with the third-row seats folded, alongside the spacious, flexible interior of a full-size electric SUV.

The vehicles have been supplied as part of a trial programme to assess the IONIQ 9's suitability for Traffic Officer duties. Subject to the outcome of the trial, National Highways is considering further purchases during 2026.

For more on the Hyundai range, visit www.hyundai.co.uk.