Kia’s first dedicated EV launching 2021

Kia has revealed the first stage of its future EV plans with seven battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to be launched by 2027.

First up is its “CV” in 2021, with Kia’s new design direction also just revealed in a preliminary sketch.

BEVs will account for 25% of Kia global vehicle sales by 2029, the company planning to work with a worldwide network to expand EV charging infrastructure too.

Kia Motors is also exploring the creation of subscription services to offer a diversified buying option for customers, as well as EV battery leasing and rental, and other ‘second-life’ battery-related businesses.

It aims to expand its global afterservice infrastructure for EVs.

Kia intends expanding dedicated EV work bays worldwide to 600 by the end of this year and more than 2000 by 2023. In Korea, it will step up EV work bays to 1200 by 2030.

The auto manufacturer plans to develop its own training for EV maintenance professionals.

Details of Kia’s future EV product strategy have been announced by Kia president and chief executive Ho Sung Song during an event at the brand’s Hwasung plant in Korea.

Kia says it will establish a leadership position in the global EV market by responding to fast-growing global consumer demand for EVs, launching a diverse range of dedicated BEVs and partnering with EV charging companies worldwide to achieve this.

“Kia has sold more than 100,000 BEVs worldwide since the introduction of our first mass-produced BEV in 2011, the Kia Ray EV,” Song says.

“Since then, we have started to introduce a range of new BEVs for global markets and announced plans to accelerate this process in the years ahead. By refocusing our business on electrification, we are aiming for BEVs to account for 25% of our total worldwide sales by 2029.”

Under Kia’s ‘Plan S’ strategy, announced early this year, the brand plans to expand its BEV line-up to 11 models by 2025.

Over the same period, Kia is aiming for BEVs to account for 20% of the brand’s total vehicle sales in advanced markets, including Korea, North America and Europe.

The CV model will present a new design direction that signifies Kia’s transition to an EV-focused business strategy.

Kia is planning to respond to market demands by offering diversified product types, with a range of models suitable for urban centres, long-range journeys, and performance driving.

Furthermore, by adapting its new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), Kia will be able to offer vehicles with improved interior space.

It intends supplying about 1500 EV chargers by 2030 in Korea, through its existing network of nationwide sales branches, dealerships and service centres.

Hyundai Motor Group will install 120 ultra-fast chargers by 2021 in urban centres and along 12 highways linking eight provinces across the country.

Worldwide, Kia is establishing more than 2400 EV chargers in Europe and around 500 in North America, partnering with its dealer networks.

Kia plans to continue to increase its charging infrastructure in line with the growing market for EVs through strategic alliances, starting with a strategic investment in Ionity, a European company specialising in high-speed EV charging.

Having established a new start-up in July, Purple M (specialising in providing customised e-mobility services based on EVs), Kia also plans to enhance collaboration with various government organisations to expand cooperation in several areas, including the conversion of public transportation to electric power and the construction of EV charging infrastructures.