- Sustainable Materials
- Release Date
- Kia EV strategy
- Kia EV4 FAQs
- What is the Kia EV4?
- What is the expected Kia EV4 release date?
- What is the expected Kia EV4 price?
Update: ‘Kia America EV strategy’ sub-section added to the ‘Kia EV strategy.’
Kia plans to launch several electric SUVs following the Kia EV6, and as per a report from Auto Express filed in August 2021, a compact model called the Kia EV4 and developed for the European market is in the pipeline. An EVx SUV refers to the dedicated electric vehicle, and not a conversion BEV such as the Niro EV or Soul EV.
The Kia EV4 will ride on the E-GMP platform and that strengthens speculations for features like V2L, virtual mirrors, solar roof, flat floor, and a segment-breaking GT performance variant. Image Source: Kia
The Kia EV4 could offer the space levels of a Sportage. Thanks to the E-GMP, the former won’t need the dimensions of a combustion model to offer the same interior space. For reference, the new Sportage is 177.8 in./183.5 in. long, 73.4 in. wide, and 65.4 in. tall, and its wheelbase measures 105.5 in./108.5 in. The 114.2-inch-long EV6 has the same wheelbase as the flagship Telluride – 114.2 inches.
The E-GMP platform enables a high system voltage of 800 volts, double the usual (400 volts). So, customers can rapidly charge their E-GMP-based EVs at up to 350 kW. In the EV6, which is available with 58.0 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery pack options, charging from 10 to 80% SoC takes less than 18 minutes. Just five minutes of charging can provide a range of nearly 70 miles. The EV4 could get the battery of the EV6, and offer a range of around 300 miles (EPA est.).
The Kia EV4 would be a budget alternative to models like the Mercedes EQA and Volvo C40. It could go on sale sometime in 2023, suggests the Auto Express report. Image: Mercedes-Benz
Sustainable Materials
Showcasing the Concept EV9 at the LA Auto Show in November 2021, Kia offered a glimpse of how the interiors of its future EVs would feature an eco-friendly design, and use sustainable materials. The EV9 Concept electric SUV uses recycled fishnets for the flooring, the seating fabric is made out of recycled plastic bottles and recycled wool fibers. Vegan leather is used throughout the interiors, as opposed to animal leather. Gradually, Kia plans to reduce the use of animal leather in all vehicles. This ecological approach from Kia is something that even the Kia EV4 could benefit from.
Release Date
According to the Auto Express report, the Kia EV4 may go on sale in 2023. Kia has said that every model in the EV series line will receive a GT variant, which opens the door for a future performance compact electric SUV.
Kia EV strategy
Kia has confirmed that it has 2 electric SUVs in its 2023 business plan. The first is the EV9, and is the second the Kia EV4? Image: Kia Worldwide/Youtube
Kia plans to build an EV line-up of 14 models by 2027, CEO Ho Sung Song said at the 2022 CEO Investor Day on March 3, 2022. In his presentation for the event, he revealed that 8 of these models will be SUVs. The first of the 8 Kia electric SUVs that will be available in the market by 2027 came out in 2021 – the Kia EV6. This year, the company will launch the 2023 Kia Niro EV. In 2023, there will be two electric SUV launches, including the Kia EV9.
Another development revealed at the 2022 CEO Investor Day that could be relevant to the EV4 through its lifecycle was that Kia will replace its current third-gen battery technology with the fourth-gen battery technology by 2025. By 2030, it will switch to fifth-gen battery technology. Between now and 2030, it aims to reduce the cost of battery packs by 40% and increase their energy density by 50%. The company is working on making software an even more integral element of its EVs and concurrently expanding the scope of OTA updates for technical changes after delivery.
Kia America EV strategy
Kia America plans to gradually expand its EV portfolio and the share of EVs in its sales. Eric Watson, Vice President – Sales Operations, Kia America, said that the company will launch one new EV every year until the end of the decade, Automotive News reported on June 17, 2022.
Eight EVs will be present in the Kia U.S. line-up by 2029, and these will include the EV6 that went on sale in February 2022, the 2023 Niro EV arriving in fall 2022, and the EV9 due in H2 2023. Kia America wants EVs to constitute 30% of sales by the end of the decade, and then increase their share to 50% in the early 2030s, Watson said.
Kia EV4 FAQs
What is the Kia EV4?
It is expected as a compact SUV, and to play the role of a budget alternative to the Mercedes EQA and Volvo C40, targeting Europe.
What is the expected Kia EV4 release date?
Kia could launch the EV4 in 2023. It has confirmed 2 electric SUV launches for next year.
What is the expected Kia EV4 price?
Kia could place the EV4 at sub-35,000 GBP levels in the UK. It is unclear if the EV4 would be sold in the United States.
Featured Image Source: Kia
Keyword: 2023 Kia EV4 compact electric SUV could slot below EV6 [Update]