Kia lays out bold electric future: 7 new EVs to arrive from 2021
Kia is determined to become a major EV player, with the Korean brand outlining an electric vision that will see seven new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) launched between now and 2027.
The visions forms part of Kia’s push to see electric vehicles form 25 percent of its global sales by 2029.
The plan – which bolts onto the existing “Plan S” strategy, which will see the brand’s EV portfolio grow to 11 by 2025 – will begin to unfold next year, with Kia to launch a new fully electric vehicle.
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That initial EV for 2021 is thought to be a mid-size SUV.
“Kia has sold more than 100,000 BEVs worldwide since the introduction of our first mass-produced BEV in 2011, the Kia Ray EV,” says Kia President and CEO, Ho Sung Song.
”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 percent of our total worldwide sales by 2029.”
Little is known about the new electric vehicles for now, though the shadow-filled teaser image reveals a range of SUVs, passenger cars, and some decidedly sporty-looking cars. Kia says the EV influx will help cement its position as a leader in the electric car space.
“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,” the brand says.
The plan is a holistic one, with Kia today also confirming it is investigating EV subscription services, battery leasing, car rental programs, and second-life battery businesses. It will also establish more than 2400 EV charging stations in Europe, and 500 in the USA.
In Australia, Kia’s electric story will most likely begin with the launch of the Kia Sorento PHEV, which the brand says it will launch early in 2021.
Although it obviously relates to worldwide developments, the above hype re Kia with its ‘exciting new models’ is hard to take seriously when looking at Kia’s performance to date in Australia regarding EV’s.
In spite of various motoring websites repeatedly ‘speculating’, often quoting Kia’s Damien Meredith regarding possible release dates, the basic Kia e-Niro is still not available here. I understand the problem is likely to be limited supply compounded by high demand worldwide, of what is obviously a very successful EV. However the lack of the e-Niro in Australia is truly perplexing given that New Zealand has had the e-Niro available there for some time. Any answers to this repeated question would be appreciated.