As EV sales increase in India, several automakers are regaining their share. Kia recently revealed plans to launch 3 new electric cars in the region, adding a new Carens EV.
At its recent Investor Day, Kia unveiled its new roadmap to a leader in electrification. The move comes as Kia looks to push back against cheap Chinese automakers such as BYD.
Kia’s new plans include introducing more hybrids while also focusing on electric cars. The Korean automaker plans to expand its EV sales with cheap electric cars, adding EV2, EV3, EV4 and EV5.
The new models were unveiled at Kia’s first annual Electric Vehicle Day in October. They are part of a wide range of electric cars. Kia plans to cover most segments with prices between $25,000 and $80,000.
Kia will expand its EV range to 15 models by 2027 with the goal of promoting 1. 6 million electric cars by 2030.
The company has already unveiled the EV5 in China with a starting price of $20,000 (149,800 yuan). In Australia, the starting price will be around $46,000 (A$70,000).
Kia will launch the EV3 this year, and its initial cost is expected to be around $30,000. The EV3 is a mini-EV9, Kia’s edition of an all-electric compact crossover. It takes much of the design, technology and features of the three-row EV9 into a smaller, larger package.
Next year, Kia will keep up with the launch of the EV4, an entry-level electric sedan. Its starting price is around $35,000.
Kia plans to launch the EV2, EV3, EV4 and EV5 models in the main markets, the United States, Europe and South Korea.
In emerging markets, Kia plans to launch two new region-specific electric vehicles, a Carens EV, for India.
Right now, the EV6 is Kia’s electric car, but the three-row EV9 will be added later this year. The Kia Carens EV is expected to go on sale next year with a starting cost of around $25,000 (INR 2 million).
The news comes after Kia and Hyundai partnered this week with Exide Energy for domestic production of vehicle batteries.
Earlier today, Electrek reported that Tesla CEO Elon Musk would be traveling to India this month, raising hypotheses about a factory there.
Sales of electric vehicles in India are expected to rise 66% after nearly doubling last year, thanks to subsidies and infrastructure expansion driving demand.
Peter Johnson covers the automotive industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is a seasoned investor, money writer, and electric vehicle enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, primarily Tesla, is one of the main reasons he pursued a career in investing. If he doesn’t tell you about his latest discoveries in the 10K, you can spot him enjoying the outdoors or exercising.