Kia Motors Europe unveils further details of its electric car sales strategy

— Battery-powered electric cars accounted for 6% of Kia’s European sales in the first quarter of 2020.

— By 2025, Kia will offer 11 electric car models in its palette worldwide.

— The first model specifically designed for electric propulsion (a crossover) will arrive in Europe in 2021, offering long range and fast charging capability.

— All European Kia models will have an electrified powertrain version.

2020 Kia Niro, fully electric – (photo by: Kia)


Kia Motors today unveiled further details of its electric car plans after battery-powered electric cars accounted for 6% of its sales in Europe in the first quarter of 2020.


Earlier this year, Kia unveiled its program called “Plan S”, which aims to be the industry leader in the medium and long term in electrifying its models, mobility services, connectivity and self-driving.

Plan S strongly outlines Kia’s technology change strategy on the road from internal combustion drives to electric drives.

Kia’s “electrical commitment” has already yielded outstanding results in the European market. In the first quarter of 2020, sales of purely electric cars increased by 75% (to 6,811 units) compared to the same period in 2019. This also means that electric models without local emissions now account for 6% of the brand’s European sales. In the first quarter of 2019, this ratio was still only 2.9%.

11 new electric models

Kia will introduce 11 new, purely electric battery models in several categories worldwide by 2025.

The first model of the next-generation electric car series will hit the market in Europe in 2021, on a modern technical basis designed specifically for fresh electric cars. The novelty comes as a true crossover, with a cross-category and interconnected look, new solutions, and a special driving and use experience. Its range will exceed 500 km, while the battery will be able to recharge in less than 20 minutes with a quick charger.

Emilio Herrera, Head of Kia Motors Europe, said: “A significant proportion of Kia’s electric cars will be made specifically for Europe, as this continent today shows the greatest market potential in this area. The success of our fork cars today (e-Soul and e-Niro) also fill us with confidence. Sales of our electric models have increased in each of the last five years, and our innovations will only accelerate this growth. ”


After the first new model arrives in 2021, Kia Motors Europe will also introduce most of the new innovations. This also means that each new model will have at least one electrified powertrain, i.e. a light hybrid, a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, or a purely electric version, so advanced powertrains will account for an increasing share of Kia sales in Europe.

New driving experience

After the introduction of the first new electric model, additional emission-free Kias will arrive from 2022, on a fresh, specific technical basis and with a new driving and user experience that makes everyday use even easier and simpler.

Kia will offer most of its new models with charging solutions tailored to its customers. Electric cars come with a charging option of 400V or 800V, allowing for particularly fast charging depending on the needs of the customer and the way the particular model is used.

Pablo Martinez Masip, Head of Product Design and Pricing at Kia Motors Europe, explained this strategy: “We will give as much value as possible for the buyer’s money, in fact we strive for this for each of our cars. Accordingly, we target our more price-sensitive customers with 400V charging systems. However, the 800V will not be the privilege of top models either, but our models, which target a certain customer base, will definitely be made with this.”

“Both systems will be suitable for home and street charging, but the 800 is clearly made for frequent fast-charging customers, those who regularly travel longer distances at the same time. The 400V system, as with the e-Niro and e-Soul, is also suitable for fast charging, but is more for those who are more flexible in terms of charging options. So we offer a solution for every need. ”

Growing sales

The goal is to sell 500,000 purely electric cars a year worldwide by 2026, while fully electric models are projected to account for 20% of European sales. Today’s electric car range will be complemented by new models to serve the needs of an increasingly European audience turning to alternative drives.

Kia Motors Europe sold 113,026 new cars in the first quarter of 2020 in the EU, EFTA countries and the United Kingdom [source: ACEA]

Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



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