Bold not beautiful: Kia Tasman EV is on the way as soon as 2025, but Australian debut depends on buyer demand
Despite a no-show at the Australian launch, Kia has finally confirmed it will offer an all-electric powertrain on its latest Kia Tasman.
But it could be still more than a year away.
Rumours have been rife a Kia Tasman EV was in the works, but now it’s been confirmed.
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That confirmation has come courtesy of Christo Valentyn, Kia South Africa’s marketing boss, who announced to the US mag Carbuzz that a battery-powered version is on the way.
“I’m probably not supposed to say this but… an electric [Tasman] is coming.”
Sparking rumours back in 2022, Kia announced the Korean car-maker would develop a battery-powered ute but throwing us all off the scent, the car-maker’s CEO said that the zero-emission pick-up would be aimed at “emerging markets”.
Back then Kia’s boss said the all-electric ute would land in 2026 – the year we now think the Tasman EV will rock up in Australia.
Some markets will potentially get the all-electric ute earlier in 2025.
The Kia Tasman EV’s Down Under debut isn’t a sure bet following the downturn in demand for electric vehicles.
It’s been reported that its arrival here will be dependent on whether Kia Australia thinks there is enough demand.
Instead of the all-electric version, it’s thought Kia will lobby the mothership to import the Tasman that will come with the same plug-in hybrid 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder that features in the latest generation Hyundai Palisade.
The electrified ute should produces around 246kW and will provide buyers with a pure-electric range of more than 100km – making it the perfect rival to the new BYD Shark 6.
Until then, Kia has announced it will focus its resources on launching the combustion Tasman that is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.
When launched, the Tasman will be offered in multiple variants, three of which have been confirmed so far: the standard variant, a road-biased X-Line spec and an off-road-ready Tasman X-Pro – with all available from Australian showrooms from mid-2025.
Even without hand raisers for the new EV version, Kia might be forced to bring the Tasman EV anyway if it is to avoid any costly fines related to the introduction of the 2025 New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES).
More is expected to be revealed next year along with the arrival of a concept for the Tasman EV that is expected to modify its striking looks with a revised front grille and reshaped front fenders.
