Kia Plans to Expand its Electric Vehicle Lineup with an Entry-Level City Car and a Halo Model
Kia is set to expand its range of electric vehicles (EVs) with the introduction of an entry-level city car and a new halo model. The company has trademarked names from EV1 to EV9, indicating its intentions to offer a diverse range of EV models. While the upcoming EV2 will sit below the recently unveiled EV3, the possibility of an EV1 has now been confirmed by Kia President Ho-sung Song.
During a test drive of the new EV3, Song revealed that an electric city car to replace the Picanto is the company’s “next, next target.” Kia aims to bring down the cost of EV technology, and an affordable city car priced below €20,000 (approximately £16,850) is part of their long-term plan. However, such a vehicle will not be available before the end of the decade. In the meantime, Kia is working to reduce the cost of electric cars in increments of €5000.
Song acknowledged that targeting the €15,000-€20,000 city car segment is challenging for any car maker, and making it electric only adds to the difficulty. Kia’s immediate goal is to offer an EV model starting from €30,000, with the aim of eventually reaching sub-€25,000 and possibly even €20,000. However, this will not happen within the next two years.
On the other end of the spectrum, Kia is considering a brand-building model similar to the Stinger GT but with an electric powertrain. This model would serve as a halo vehicle for the company’s lineup. The use of electric skateboard structures, such as the E-GMP architecture found in the EV6 and EV9, makes it more feasible to develop such a flagship model. With the commonality of components, an all-wheel drive configuration and over 600bhp would be possible.
Despite the apparent sluggish demand for electric cars in Europe, Song remains optimistic about the long-term growth of EVs in the region. He believes that incentives are necessary to boost demand in the short term, and the recent volatility in the market is a result of incentives being removed in certain countries. Kia is committed to reducing the cost of EVs to provide better prices for customers.
While Kia has recently increased investments in hybrid models, the majority of their investments are still focused on electric cars. Song also confirmed that Kia is actively developing solid-state batteries, which are expected to offer significant improvements over current battery technology. However, no specific timeline has been provided for their commercial availability.
In conclusion, Kia’s plans to introduce an entry-level city car and a halo model demonstrate their commitment to expanding their electric vehicle lineup. With a focus on affordability and technological advancements, Kia aims to meet the evolving needs of customers and contribute to the growth of the electric vehicle market.
