We’ve only just heard about the EV2 in the pipeline and now Kia is talking EV1 as well.
Company president Ho Sung Song, said Kia “definitely needs” an entry-level model to broaden the appeal of electric cars.
At present, Kia is “internally studying” what an entry-level model might look like. Whether it is a newcomer to rival Volkswagen ID 1, or a more affordable version of an existing model is unclear at present. The aim is for it to cost in the vicinity of €25,000 or £21,000 in the UK, putting it around the ID 1 price point.
Song said: We are internally studying what will be our entry EV models, apart from our EV2.
“We definitely need a lower size of model – or a lower-price model.
Check out our review of Kia EV5 here.
“Maybe next EV Day, we’ll show you what we are planning” so a reveal of a concept within the next 12 months is likely.
And that would mean production kicking off in 2027, which is when the VW ID 1 is due for launch.
Song said last year that an electric city car to replace the Picanto was the target.
Both EV2 and EV1 will likely use a version of the E-GMP platform that the EV3 rides on. Expect a 400-volt electrical architecture and a front-mounted e-motor.
Assuming battery size of around 40kWh, a range of 290km should be possible while 100kW charging would be at the top of its class. A 150kW peak would mean a 10 to 80 per cent top up in under 20 minutes.
