Kia lines up entry-level, high-end halo EVs

Kia is readying two new EVs that will sit at the opposite ends of its global line-up. The Korean brand has trademarked names EV1 through EV9, and while an EV2 was confirmed to sit below the EV3, the prospect of an EV1 has been off the table, until now.

• EV2 and EV3 are likely to sit on e-GMP platform
• EV1 could be an EV sedan that replaces the Stinger

Kia will replace the ageing Picanto hatchback with an all-new electric city car called EV2, according to our sister publication Autocar UK. This model will be priced aggressively and be introduced around the end of this decade.

Kia is also evaluating a sporty EV sedan on the lines of the Stinger. The versatility of electric skateboard structures – such as the E-GMP architecture used to underpin the likes of the EV6 and EV9 – make EVs more viable due to the greater commonality of components with other models in the range. As such, all-wheel-drive from a dual-motor layout and more than 600hp would be possible for such a flagship.

While investments in development of hybrid models have recently increased at Kia, president Ho-sung Song said the majority of investments are in electric cars and this remains the direction of travel for the company. Apart from investments in hybrids, Kia is also investing in the development of solid state batteries, but there is no date on when we can see a Kia model with such setup.

For India, Kia currently sells the EV6 and will launch the EV9 next month. The Carens EV is also being developed and could go on sale next year.