Meet the Hyundai IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station. Hyundai’s new three-row EV is more than just a family hauler — it’s now using drones to help restore forests.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 EV restores forests with drones
After delivering the first customer models just a few months ago, Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV is already doing more than just cutting emissions.
Hyundai introduced the IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station on Thursday, a modified version of the brand’s largest EV, complete with a built-in drone launch pad.
The interior features a dedicated drone operation PC, dual monitors, and a swivel seat, essentially transforming it into “a fully functional mobile office.”
Hyundai’s specially designed EV, built in collaboration with Guru E&T, is being used to plant trees in areas that are hard to access. Equipped with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, Hyundai’s electric vehicles supply power for the drones in remote areas.
The drones scatter “seed balls,” which are clay spheres filled with soil, organic matter, and seeds throughout the area.
The modified IONIQ 9 is part of the Korean automaker’s ongoing Smart Forest Restoration Program. It follows the IONIQ 5 Monitoring Drone Station, launched in 2023.
Hyundai is utilizing its new EV models to help restore forests in Uljin, Korea, which were severely impacted by widespread wildfires in 2022.
The efforts are part of Hyundai’s forest-building efforts called the IONIQ Forest project. Launched in 2016, the project covers 13 countries, including the US. Hyundai plans to expand the drone projects into other regions in the future.
After deliveries began in the US in late May, Hyundai reported IONIQ 9 sales reached over 1,000 by the end of June.
Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV starts at $60,555 with an EPA-est range of up to 335 miles. Like the IONIQ 5, it also features a native NACS port to access Tesla Superchargers.
The IONIQ 5 remains one of the top-selling EVs in the US, with over 19,000 sold in the first half of 2025. With leases starting at just $179 per month, the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (now with more range and a built-in NACS port) is hard to pass up right now with the EV tax credit set to expire at the end of September.
Since both the IONIQ 9 and IONIQ 5 are built at Hyundai’s new EV plant in Georgia, they still qualify for the $7,500 tax credit until the deadline.
Looking to snag the savings while they’re still here? You can use our links below to find the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9 in your area.
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