Electric blues

This is the moment Chelsea’s star players had dozens of footballs launched at them by a machine powered by a new electric car.

Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, defender Ben Chilwell and striker Olivier Giroud went out for a training session with a difference.

They were joined by the UK’s first Hyundai IONIQ 5 - a new electric car which has clever ‘vehicle-to-load’ technology that allows bi-directional charging.

This means the car’s powerful 800v battery can function as a 110/220V power outlet for electronic devices - in this case the Premier League side’s ball launchers.

The machines were then plugged into the IONIQ 5, giving the Premier League stars a tricky time as the balls were hurled towards them at high speeds.

The V2L function, which turns the car into a ‘charger on wheels’, can be used for any electric device - whether it’s scooters, electric bicycles or camping equipment.

Ashley Andrew, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor UK, said: “The new IONIQ 5 is Hyundai’s first standalone electric vehicle and we wanted to show the benefits of its bi-directional charging.

“We thought it would be a fun idea to demonstrate the technology with our partners at Chelsea FC.

“While vehicle-to-load technology wasn’t necessarily designed to help footballers stay in shape on the training ground, it shows how versatile and useful the tech can be for motorists.”

With a 350-kW charger, IONIQ 5 can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes. It takes around five minutes to get 100km (62 miles) of range.

This is the first time an IONIQ 5, which was unveiled this week, has been on British soil ahead of its arrival in dealerships later this year.

The family car, which has a range of up to 300 miles between charges, is going on sale as demand for electric cars continues to grow.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed sales of pure electric vehicles were up by 54.4 per cent in January despite showrooms being closed.