Kia future model to 2030: More electric cars, more hybrids

Kia presented its “Plan S” in September 2020. It planned to bring seven new electric cars to market by 2025. But this strategy quickly became outdated. At the beginning of 2021, the number of planned EV models grew to eleven. In the fall of 2022, Kia finalized its plans again and announced that it will expand the electric car family again – with 14 new electric newcomers. After a special “EV Day” in October 2023, which focused mainly on models with only electric drives, Kia has now completed its strategy again as part of the investor day.

Key takeaways from the most recent event: Kia will bring one more electric car to market by 2027 than previously planned. There should be 15 instead of 14, although the exact identity of the alien remains a mystery. The focus is on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) from parent company Hyundai. The first Kia model to use this modular system was the EV6. It was followed by the large SUV EV9 (video at the top of this paragraph), which offers three rows of seats and has been on the market in Germany since the summer of 2023. In addition, the manufacturer showed the new EV5 (picture show above) at the EV Day 2023, which is like the younger brother of the EV9 and is expected to conquer the most important markets from 2025.

The Kia EV3 is coming in 2024

There’s plenty of room in between, after all, Kia has had all the product names between the EV1 and EV9 protected for a long time. In this case, there was more concrete to see on EV Day than on Investor Day. On the one hand, the Kia Concept EV3 made its debut there; An electric counterpart to the small SUV Stonic is scheduled to come to market in 2024. At the same time, the Koreans unveiled the EV4 Concept, an electric mid-size sedan with a slight off-road feel that may one day inherit the Stinger. The derivative of his series should also not be long in coming. In addition, the popular EV6 and GT versions are due for a facelift.

In addition to the models already known and announced, the future model also includes an electric pickup and “two region-specific models for emerging markets,” including India’s Carens EV. There will also be the already announced EV1 and EV2 entry-level electric models, which may launch similar to the electric Hyundai Casper. It’s questionable if Kia is branding all of its new electric models with the EV term. What is certain, however, is that all future electric cars will come to market in a high-performance GT version – based on the 585 hp Kia EV6 GT.

New IMA platform based on E-GMP

After Hyundai recently announced its electric vehicle strategy and announced a new platform based on E-GMP, this IMA base should also be an option for some of Kia’s new models. The IMA, an “integrated modular architecture,” will carry not only battery-electric passenger vehicles (BEVs) across the board, but also purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). The advantage of this platform is that it integrates not only the chassis but also the battery and motor system. The IMA should have standardized battery packs that can be easily and cost-effectively used regardless of design.

“Thanks to the cell-to-packet system, the new architecture can ensure sufficient energy density and shorten the charging time,” the parent company announced once. When it comes to cell chemistry, Kia takes a multifaceted approach. In addition to the current lithium-ion batteries, the manufacturer plans to use nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries in the future. Another alternative should be energy storage using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. When it comes to driving, IMA also offers five standard car types. One of these will be an integrated drive module (IDM) from supplier Borg-Warner. It has an electric motor, a gearbox and power electronics and is powered by 400 volts. The “IDM146” with an external diameter of the strator 146 mm is scalable and offers a maximum of 135 kW (184 hp).

A small electric car on the supplier’s platform

Demand for PBVs is expected to increase fivefold by 2030 due to steady and sustained growth in e-commerce and car-sharing services. At this point, Kia wants to sell 250,000 units of this new type of car per year. The planned models, announced for the first time at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, in detail:

• Autonomous Micro-Car (Kia PV1)
• Suburban transporter and midsize car (both roles will be played by the highly convertible Kia PV5 planned for 2025)
• Large utility vehicle (PV7, planned for 2027)

Given the current slowdown in global electric vehicle sales, Kia wants to strengthen its hybrid portfolio as a short-term countermeasure. Six models with serial hybrid drive (HEV) will be available this year. This number is expected to grow to eight by 2026, and two years later there will be a series of nine models. There are also plug-in hybrids, although Kia doesn’t mention any specific targets for this type of drive.

Kia raises sales forecast

Compared to its previously stated goals, Kia released more ambitious figures at Investor Day 2024. The business’ four most important goals for 2030 include: Accelerating electrification and annual sales of 1.6 million battery-powered vehicles -electricity (previously: 1.2 million). Annual global sales of 4.3 instead of 4.0 million units (currently 3.2 million), including 2.48 million environmentally friendly (ie electric) vehicles. The expansion of the use of connected car functions and autonomous driving technology for all new cars as well as the rise to number one in the global market for special purpose vehicles (PBV, purpose-built vehicles). Kia has also recently turned its eyes to China and wants to build cars for the local market in local factories.

Kia expects Korea, North America, Europe and China to account for more than 80 percent of its BEV sales in 2030, with BEV shares reaching 45 percent of Kia’s total sales in these major markets. Globally, pure electric vehicles are expected to account for 37 percent of all sales at this stage. Including all hybrid vehicles, 58 percent of all Kias sold worldwide are said to have an electric motor.

Kia revises production strategy

To cope with the increasing volume, the role of individual production sites will change. Korea, home to seven Kia plants, will serve as a global hub for electric vehicle research, development, production and delivery. Two plants there are reserved for electric vehicles only. Six other global manufacturing sites produce EV and combustion models for their respective markets. In Europe, for example, small and medium-sized electric cars will be released from 2025. In the United States, where SUVs and mid-size pickups are popular, electric versions of these types will be produced in the country from 2024. In China, Kia plans to introduce mid-range electric from next year and in India, entry-level and mid-range models with electric drives will be offered from 2025.