Kia is set to roll out a budget-friendly electric urban vehicle
Kia Motors, the South Korean automaker, has announced plans to launch an entry-level electric city car priced under €25,000, as part of its next wave of EVs. This move is aimed at offering a more affordable electric vehicle (EV) option for urban buyers, expanding Kia's electric lineup to cater to a wider range of customer needs.
The new city car will sit below the forthcoming EV2 in terms of both size and price, potentially replacing or selling alongside the updated Picanto city car. Kia's president and CEO, Ho Sung Song, described this project as ongoing "homework" with the sub-€25,000 price point being an active focus of study and development.
The new electric city car is expected to launch before 2030, although an exact year has yet to be confirmed. This timeline aligns with Kia's broader EV plans, which include the EV3, EV6, EV9 already on sale, the EV4 and EV5 launching by the end of 2025, and the EV2 set for 2026. The upcoming entry-level city EV would complement this lineup as a more affordable, smaller option.
While Kia maintains an interest in hybrid and range-extender technology globally, in Europe, the focus is fully on EVs. This shift reflects the region's strong trend towards electric vehicles. However, Song acknowledged the need for alternative powertrains, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), particularly for larger and heavier vehicles.
Song expressed a desire for Kia to be a strong player in the EV market in Europe. To achieve this, Kia expects less necessity for various powertrain technologies in Europe due to the region's strong trend towards EVs, but will remain flexible in its approach.
As Kia continues to invest in a range of powertrain technologies to meet demand, it is also expected to release replacements for the EV6 and EV9, representing a step-change for the carmaker as it transitions to software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
Joshua S. Hill, a journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years, has been reporting on this development for Renew Economy and The Driven. Hill, who prefers to travel on foot, has been a key voice in the transition to a sustainable transportation future.
In conclusion, Kia's new entry-level electric city car is a strategic move to offer an affordable EV option for urban buyers, further expanding its electric lineup to cater to a wider range of customer needs. The new city car is expected to launch before 2030, with an exact year yet to be confirmed. Kia's broader EV plans include the EV3, EV6, EV9, EV4, EV5, and the EV2, with the new city car complementing this lineup as a more affordable, smaller option.
The new electric city car from Kia Motors will be positioned in the industry's EV market, aiming to provide urban buyers with a more affordable electric vehicle option below €25,000. Kia's future plans in the transportation sector, particularly in Europe, are heavily focused on the finance and technology aspects, with an emphasis on enhancing their electric vehicle lineup.
