Next up an EV1 for Kia?

We’ve only just heard about the EV2 in the pipeline and now Kia is talking EV1 as well.

Company president Ho Sung Song, said Kia “definitely needs” an entry-level model to broaden the appeal of electric cars.

At present, Kia is “internally studying” what an entry-level model might look like. Whether it is a newcomer to rival Volkswagen ID 1, or a more affordable version of an existing model is unclear at present. The aim is for it to cost in the vicinity of €25,000 or £21,000 in the UK, putting it around the ID 1 price point.

Song said: We are internally studying what will be our entry EV models, apart from our EV2.

“We definitely need a lower size of model – or a lower-price model. 

Check out our review of Kia EV5 here.

“Maybe next EV Day, we’ll show you what we are planning” so a reveal of a concept within the next 12 months is likely.

And that would mean production kicking off in 2027, which is when the VW ID 1 is due for launch.

Song said last year that an electric city car to replace the Picanto was the target.

Both EV2 and EV1 will likely use a version of the E-GMP platform that the EV3 rides on. Expect a 400-volt electrical architecture and a front-mounted e-motor.

Assuming battery size of around 40kWh, a range of 290km should be possible while 100kW charging would be at the top of its class. A 150kW peak would mean a 10 to 80 per cent top up in under 20 minutes.