2027 “EV1” to be Kia’s most affordable EV, and could mean the axe for the tiny Picanto
Kia has announced it will launch a new challenger for the likes of the BYD Dolphin in 2027 in a bid to boost sales in regions like Europe and Australia.
Developed under the ‘B-hatch’ codename, the small electric hatchback is expected to carry the Kia EV1 nameplate. As well as rivalling the BYD Dolphin, it would target the MG4, GWM Ora, and Europe’s strong-selling Renault 5 EV.
Set to replace the petrol-powered Picanto, the EV1 will be the most affordable all-electric Kia yet and would be the first “software-defined vehicle” in its class, the Korean car-maker says.
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Beneath the skin, the EV1 will be developed alongside another smaller Hyundai and share the EV2’s 400-volt E-GMP architecture. It should come with choice of a 42.2kWh or 61kWh battery.
While the most affordable version would offer around 300km range, the most expensive EV1 should be capable of covering between 450-500km on a single charge.
In Europe, it’s been suggested the Kia EV1 will cost around €25,000 (A$41,500).
It’s one of 14 electric cars Kia will launch from now until 2030, comprising two ‘passenger models’ (including this EV1), nine SUVs and three commercial vehicles.
One of the nine SUVs will be a new flagship EV in 2029 that’s being readied to attract those switching from the current Sportage and high-grade EV5 models.
Said to “trade on its SUV heritage”, it is thought the new model will live below the three-row EV9 and come with more conventional styling.
With the arrival of all-new EVs, Kia says by 2030 it would have ramped up its electric car sales to one million per year for a 3.8 per cent market share – a figure around 20 per cent lower than earlier plans, corresponding to a drop-off in demand for electric cars in some markets.
Last year, Kia sold 250,000 EVs, equating to a 1.7 per cent market share.
Helping underpin its future EVs, Kia is expected to soon release details of an all-new advanced replacement for its current E-GMP architecture.
When it arrives, the platform will allow a 40 per cent increase in battery capacity and 9 per cent boost in motor output, while allowing a Level 2+ self-driving capability.
Enhancing efficiency, the new platform will package Kia’s fifth-generation batteries which will boast a 15 per cent improvement in energy density while being around 30 per cent cheaper to make, we’re told.
It has been tipped the Sportage-sized mid-size SUV could be the first EV to debut the Korean giant’s latest powertrain technology and use the latest platform.
