Kia has confirmed it’s planning an reasonably priced city-sized electrical automobile – even smaller than the 2026 Kia EV2 already introduced – and far can be a direct competitor to the BYD Seagull, Dacia Spring and Fiat 500e.
Chatting with UK publication Autocar, Kia president and CEO Ho Sung Track stated a less expensive, smaller electrical metropolis automobile, which may very well be referred to as the EV1, was “homework” for the corporate’s product builders, confirming such a automobile was “one space we’re finding out and growing”.
Mr Track additionally stated reasonably priced, city-sized automobiles would stay an vital a part of the model’s lineup as European consumers transfer in direction of EVs.
Kia technically already gives a city-sized EV – the Picanto-based Ray – however this tall, boxy mannequin is unique to Korea.
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The brand new metropolis EV would take over from Kia’s entry-level petrol-powered Picanto – at the moment Australia’s least expensive new automobile – which was considerably up to date in 2023 and nonetheless sells strongly in Europe.
With a substitute nonetheless as far off as 2028-2029, the Picanto’s successor might effectively ditch the present model’s 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to develop into a battery-electric metropolis hatch.
It will face the BYD Seagull, set to go on sale in the UK later this yr because the Dolphin Surf, at lower than £20,000 ($41,874).
The Seagull is into consideration for Australian showrooms and will develop into the most cost effective EV provided right here, given it might sit under the present worth chief – the BYD Dolphin electrical hatch at $29,990 drive-away.
Even then, the present petrol Picanto might stay on sale alongside a more recent, electrical providing in Kia showrooms.
Different manufacturers have additionally deliberate this strategy, corresponding to Volkswagen, which intends to promote the petrol-powered Golf alongside battery-electric variations effectively into subsequent decade.
Kia has been prolific in rolling out new EVs. Its smallest, the funky EV2 five-door SUV, is due on sale abroad in 2026 however is unlikely to be provided right here.
The Kia EV4 electrical sedan – a Tesla Mannequin 3 rival – is scheduled to reach in Australia within the final quarter (October-December) of 2025, becoming a member of the EV3, EV5, EV6 and EV9 electrical Kias at the moment in Australian showrooms.
The EV5 has been Kia Australia’s hottest EV up to now in 2025 and the fourth-most fashionable EV general, with 2765 delivered to the tip of June – placing it behind the third-place Mannequin 3 with the MG 4 behind in fifth.
Mr Track stated Europe will “drive quantity from a full EV lineup” due to a “sturdy pattern” in direction of electrical automobiles – but inside combustion engines will stay vital in rising markets missing electric-charging infrastructure.
It should additionally allow Kia to keep up a versatile strategy to reply to market developments when needed.
“The ultimate vacation spot in Europe is EVs, which is why I wish to be a really sturdy EV participant in Europe… but when we take a look at worldwide demand we must always have different powertrains, like hybrids, plug-in [hybrids] and EREVs [extended-range electric vehicles],” he stated.
Gross sales of hybrids in Australia within the first six months of 2025 elevated 14.9 per cent, following a 76 per cent bounce in recognition in 2024, whereas key markets – together with China and the US – have additionally seen important hybrid development.
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