Kia India has outlined its multi-powertrain strategy for the Indian market, confirming that hybrid powertrains and factory-fitted CNG models are under development. Speaking to our sister publication Autocar Professional, Kia India executive Atul Sood said the company will continue to invest across multiple powertrain technologies as it works towards having eight electrified models in its India line-up by 2030. “We’re looking at the complete gamut of technologies available. We want to give all options to our customers, so then we leave it to them to decide what they want to go in for,” Sood said.
- Factory-fitted CNG models under development
- Strong-hybrid planned for Sorento, Seltos, Carnival
Eight electrified models planned
Kia’s electrification roadmap includes both battery electric vehicles and strong hybrids. The company already sells four EVs in India – the EV6, EV9, Carens Clavis EV and the recently launched Syros EV – and has also confirmed that a strong-hybrid version of the Seltos is under development. Sood said Kia’s current priority is to localise the hybrid technology to make it more cost-competitive but did not specify a launch timeline.
When asked about a fully electric Seltos, similar to Hyundai’s Creta Electric, Sood said the company is studying the possibility but has not taken a final decision.
Aside from the Seltos, Kia is also preparing to introduce the Sorento in India in the coming months. Expected to be locally assembled, the three-row SUV is likely to become the brand’s first strong-hybrid model for the Indian market. According to our previous reporting, the Carnival is also expected to receive a strong-hybrid powertrain for India.
With four EVs already on sale and a hybrid powertrain planned for the Seltos, Sorento and Carnival, Kia would have seven electrified models in its line-up, suggesting that another model, likely from its compact SUV range, such as the Sonet or Syros, could also gain a hybrid powertrain to meet its target of eight electrified models by 2030.
Factory-fitted CNG models in the works
Kia has also confirmed that it is developing factory-fitted CNG models for India. At present, the brand does not offer any factory-fitted CNG vehicles and instead relies on dealer-installed retrofit kits for the Carens. However, Sood said engineering work towards factory-fitted CNG models is “strong work in progress”, although he did not provide a timeline for their introduction.
He added that Kia is evaluating the technology across multiple models in its line-up rather than limiting it to MPVs, as it assesses demand across different vehicle segments.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Dipan Sur
Saptarshi Mondal
