Kia says that it's putting together plans to sell more and more electric vehicles (EVs) following major successes for its battery car lineup in the first quarter of 2020.
Major growth in EV sales in 2020
Notwithstanding the coronavirus lockdowns, Kia saw its European EV sales rise by 75 per cent in the first three months of this year. That still only accounts for 6,811 cars across the continent (6.0 per cent of Kia's total European sales), though, so now the Koreans are planning to vastly expand EV sales.
By 2025, Kia plans to put 11 fully-electric models on sale, encompassing cars, SUVs, and MPVs. One of the key vehicles in that new lineup will be a 'crossover design which blurs the boundaries between passenger and sport utility vehicles' most likely based on the recent 'Imagine By' concept car. Kia says that it will boast a one-charge range of more than 500km, and sub-20min quick-charge time. It will be built on an EV-specific platform (the current Soul and Niro EVs share their chassis with more conventional models) and will go on sale next year.
New crossover model
Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, commented: "Many of Kia's new EVs will be offered in Europe, which is currently the focal point for EV sales growth worldwide. We are encouraged by the early sales success of our current generation of EVs, the new e-Niro and Soul EV, which have been well-received by buyers across the continent. In every one of the last five years, we have reported growing sales of Kia EVs, and our next-generation models will accelerate this trend further."
As well as pure-EVs, Kia will also offer hybrid, mild-hybrid, or plug-in hybrid versions of every model that it sells from now on in Europe.
800-volt high-speed charging
Following the launch of the new crossover EV in 2021, further models will start to go on sale from 2022 onwards. All will offer either 400-volt or 800-volt ultra-rapid charging capability. Pablo Martinez Masip, Director Product Planning and Pricing for Kia Motors Europe, explained: "We want to provide European customers with the best possible value for their money, something that we are committed to with every new car. This means that certain models, particularly those aimed at more cost-conscious buyers, will offer 400V charging capability. 800V charging won't simply be reserved for Kia's flagship models, however, but where it most closely matches the usage profile of a particular model line.
"Both systems can be charged at home or in public, with 800V rapid charging enhancing usability in models driven by customers who may rely on high-voltage rapid charging more often or drive higher mileages. 400V charging, as already found in the award-winning e-Niro and Soul EV, also enables rapid charging and will remain relevant for many customers who have greater flexibility about where and when they recharge. We will cater for all needs."
By 2026, Kia expects that 20 per cent of all the cars it sells in Europe, fully one-fifth of sales, will be electric models. The brand also plans to sell at least 500,000 EVs worldwide every year by that time.