Kia expands EV lineup to offer sustainable mobility to consumers
Kia’s mid-sized EV5 SUV / Courtesy of Kia
Kia has unveiled its new electric vehicle (EV) strategy of targeting more consumers by diversifying its EV lineup, specifically its compact and mid-sized segments, the company said during its annual Kia EV Day, Thursday.
EVs are not yet mainstream due to their relatively high price and inadequate charging infrastructure here and abroad. However, the Korean carmaker reiterated its strong willingness to break this perception by assembling a full-fledged EV lineup with reasonable prices.
“Kia aims to achieve a full lineup for EVs, and our mid-sized EVs will be priced at a range of $35,000 (46.8 million won) to $50,000, which we believe is a competitive level to expand EV sales for the majority of people,” Kia President and CEO Song Ho-sung told reporters during the event in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. “Kia’s transformation towards electrification is not a choice, but a necessity, as we hope to offer sustainable mobility solutions to customers.”
The carmaker also expressed its vision of expanding its global EV production bases to eight regions by 2025. Regarding lingering concerns over a lack of charging stations, the company also pledged to team up with other carmakers to establish more stations here and abroad. For instance, a coalition of six carmakers, including Hyundai, Kia and BMW, is scheduled to set up 30,000 EV charging stations in North America by 2030.
Kia expressed confidence in achieving its ambitious plan of selling more than 1 million EVs annually in the global market by 2026. The figure is also expected to rise to over 1.6 million by 2030, according to the carmaker.
Kia President and CEO Song Ho-sung speaks during a press conference in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of Kia
Kia’s new mid-sized EV5 SUV
Kia also introduced the EV5, its mid-sized all-electric SUV, aiming for the widespread adoption of EVs around the world. The EV5 is Kia's third EV model following the EV6 and EV9. The front-wheel-drive vehicle uses a modular and standardized integrated platform called E-GMP.
Cho Sang-woon, executive vice president of Kia's global business strategy division, said: "The EV5 is standing at the forefront of Kia’s strategy for electrification. It will lead the trend for EV popularization, along with Kia's upcoming EV4 and EV3."
Kia has designed the exterior of the EV5 with a bold and angular appearance in line with the traditional SUV shape. The interior features a spacious cabin appropriate for a traditional SUV and incorporates various elements to enhance customer experience.
Under Kia’s design philosophy of “Bold for Nature,” the exterior is robust yet dynamic, incorporating design elements such as the digital tiger face and geometric and technological wheel design, all with seamless blending that creates a futuristic and forward-looking impression for customers.
The interior also stands out due to its functional seats and diverse storage spaces. Kia has implemented relaxing seats with a massage function, so drivers can fight fatigue while in the vehicle. The second-row seats can be folded flat to meet the growing demands of campers.
The carmaker also unveiled two concept EVs, the EV4 and EV3, for the very first time.
“We are open to diversity,” Karim Habib, head of Kia Global Design, said. “The concept EV4 focuses on performance and visual impact. The concept EV3 is compact, but still comes with innovative design.”
The carmaker said the compact EV3 will be available to customers sometime in the first half of 2024, and the EV4 will also be launched here in the latter half of next year. Kia will also start sales for the EV5 in 2025.