Kia has just revealed its plans for the future, and although there is a lot of news, the main star for the European market is a small novelty with great expectations – the EV1 model, a compact electric city car that should become Kia’s most affordable electric model until 2027.
Think of it as the lower and sleeker sibling of the EV2. It’s aiming squarely at the fiercely competitive city car class in Europe, where it will go up against the likes of the Renault 5, Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa Electric. Technically, the EV1 is expected to share a platform with the EV2, which means the use of a 400-volt E-GMP architecture and two battery options. Entry-level models should get a 42.2 kWh pack with a range of approximately 322 kilometers, while more expensive models could use a 61 kWh battery for a range closer to 483 kilometers. Engine output is likely to follow the EV2, with around 145 hp (108 kW) expected for base models.
Kia also says this will be their first car in the segment to be fully “software defined,” meaning all systems from infotainment to vehicle controls will be able to be updated wirelessly. Despite the advanced technology, the starting price should be just over 23,000 euros, making the EV1 a true mass-market electric car.
A big turn in strategy
However, the story of the tiny EV1 is only part of a much larger and more complex puzzle. The Korean manufacturer is adjusting its strategy in response to slowing global adoption of electric vehicles, the CEO confirmed Ho Sung Song. Because of this, Kia has reduced its goal of selling all-electric vehicles for the year 2030 from 1.6 million to one million units.
At the same time, the company is significantly increasing its investments in hybrids. The plan is to expand the offer to 13 hybrid models by 2030, with the goal of annual sales of 1.15 million units. New hybrid versions of key models such as Telluride, Seltos and K4 have been announced. Moreover, Kia plans to launch nine new models with internal combustion engines, making it clear that it does not intend to prematurely abandon the technologies that customers are still used to.
What else is coming from Kia?
In addition to the EV1 model, Kia plans to have a total of 14 electric models in its range by 2030. These include the compact EV2, EV3 and EV4, as well as a new electric SUV that will sit between the EV5 and EV9 models. A new electric platform is also under development, which will inherit the existing E-GMP architecture, and promises up to 40 percent more battery capacity with 15 percent higher energy density and engines that are nine percent more powerful.
The Korean brand is also strengthening its position in the commercial vehicle segment with the PV5, which will be joined by the larger PV7 in 2027 and the PV9 two years later. In addition, Kia is also pushing forward in the field of robotics, developing factory robots and delivery solutions in collaboration with Boston Dynamics.
So while the EV1 may be small, it spearheads a very large and, more importantly, now much more diverse plan. Kia remains committed to electrification, but at the same time it invests heavily in hybrids and does not give up on gasoline, showing a pragmatic approach in navigating the complex and changing automotive market.