Kia Plans to Expand its EV Lineup with an Entry-Level City Car and a Halo Model
Kia is set to expand its range of electric vehicles (EVs) with an entry-level city car and a new halo model. The Korean automaker has recently trademarked names from EV1 to EV9 for its upcoming EV models. While Kia has confirmed the launch of the EV2, which will sit below the EV3, the possibility of an EV1 has been off the table until now. However, Kia’s president Ho-sung Song has revealed that an electric city car to replace the Picanto is the “next, next target” for the company.
Lowering the Cost of Electric Cars
Kia aims to bring down the cost of EV technology and make electric cars more affordable for consumers. According to Song, an electric city car would need to cost below €20,000 (roughly £16,850) and is not expected to be possible before the end of the decade. Currently, the EV3 is priced at €35,000 (£29,500) in Europe, and the upcoming EV2, a supermini-sized model, will be priced below €30,000 (£25,285). Kia is working on reducing the cost of electric cars in €5000 increments.
Challenges in the City Car Segment
Targeting the €15,000-€20,000 city car segment is a significant challenge for any car manufacturer, irrespective of the powertrain. Song acknowledged that making an electric city car in this price range is even more difficult. Kia’s next target is an EV model starting from €30,000, which they aim to offer customers. However, they believe that they need sub-€25,000 (sub-£21,070) EV cars, and possibly even around €20,000, to make electric vehicles more accessible. But achieving this goal will take more than two years.
A Halo Model to Build the Brand
Apart from the entry-level city car, Kia is also considering a brand-building model as a halo model for its lineup. Song mentioned that a model similar to the previous Stinger GT, but with an electric powertrain, is under study. This model would help build the brand and create a similar halo effect for Kia’s EV lineup.
Electric Skateboard Structures and EV Advancements
The versatility of electric skateboard structures, such as the E-GMP architecture used in the EV6 and EV9, makes it more viable to produce an electric city car. These structures allow for greater commonality of components with other models in the range. Furthermore, with a dual-motor layout, an all-wheel drive system, and more than 600bhp, a flagship electric city car becomes a possibility.
The Growth of EVs in Europe
Song addressed the apparent sluggish demand for electric cars in Europe, stating that the general trend is that Europe is “getting stronger” in terms of EV adoption. While incentives are still needed to boost demand in the short term, Song believes that the recent volatility in EV sales is a result of the removal of incentives in countries like Germany. He emphasized that most automakers are making efforts to reduce the cost of EVs to provide better prices to customers.
Investments in Electric Cars and Solid-State Batteries
Kia’s focus remains on electric cars, with the majority of their investments in this area. Although development investments in hybrid models have increased recently, electric cars continue to be the company’s direction. Kia is also actively developing solid-state batteries, which are expected to offer better performance and affordability compared to current battery technology. While no specific timeline has been given for the showroom arrival of solid-state batteries, Song expressed optimism about their potential.
About the Author
Mark Tisshaw, the author of this article, is an experienced journalist with over a decade of experience in the automotive industry. He currently serves as the editor of Autocar, overseeing content across various platforms. Tisshaw regularly interviews top executives in the automotive industry and has contributed to reputable publications such as What Car? and Pistonheads. He is also a juror for the Car of the Year award.
Conclusion
Kia’s plans to expand its EV lineup with an entry-level city car and a halo model demonstrate the brand’s commitment to electric mobility. By trademarking names from EV1 to EV9, Kia is positioning itself to offer a diverse range of electric models in the future. While an affordable electric city car is the “next, next target” for the company, Kia is also considering a brand-building model to create a halo effect for its EV lineup. The development of solid-state batteries and efforts to reduce the cost of electric cars further showcase Kia’s commitment to electric mobility. As Europe’s demand for electric cars continues to grow, Kia aims to provide better prices to customers and contribute to the broader adoption of electric vehicles.
