Kia teased four new applications for their eS skateboard electric vehicle platform as all-new Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs). The plan is to have vehicles ready by 2025 with an eventual production capacity of 150,000 units annually, in addition to their EVs like the brand new Kia EV6. These new PBVs will focus primarily on the autonomous market for package delivery and “robotaxi” vehicles. They’ll also be manufactured utilizing a new strategy that Kia calls “E-FOREST,” which aims to use artificial intelligence, robotic technology, and information and communications technology (ICT) to optimize and create “the very best products.”
Much like its sister company Hyundai, Kia wants to become a leader in sustainable mobility, as it outlined in its “Plan S” strategy. One of the ways that they plan to do that is to enter into the PBV market, with autonomous light-duty commercial electric vehicles. Using their eS skateboard EV platform made for PBVs and sounding somewhat like Canoo’s own plan for EVs, these vehicles can be customized to fit the needs of customers in the commercial market. However, Kia doesn’t outline the ability to remove the body and replace it with a different one, like Canoo plans to.
Editing For More Details
The images Kia sent out show silhouetted vans of all shapes and sizes, but the more interesting one is the image with only a pair. When we adjust the exposure and brightness of those vans, we see more details into one of the potential concepts they have in mind. When darkened, the van in the foreground looks like some sort of refrigerated vehicle, like you would see running around delivering produce, flowers, and other things that need to be chilled. When adjusted, we see that the thing on the roof is actually a LiDAR system and the back half of the van reveals a “XI” on the side.
We think this is most likely a “robotaxi,” as the apparent LiDAR system supports that idea. It wouldn’t be an unusual leap, as Kia already has a full-EV taxi called the Niro Plus in Korea. It’s already a PBV derivative, but not based on the eS platform they are planning for with their new full-scale PBVs. Kia looks to initially build 100,000 units a year to start and ramp up to 150,000 units annually as the PBV market grows. In order to do that, they need a new manufacturing system.
E-FOREST Manufacturing Ecosystem
That new system is called “E-FOREST,” which Kia says is a brand name for their new smart factory ecosystem. The idea is to leverage the advances of AI, robotic technology, and ICT to create a factory that works with their new sustainability goals, electric vehicles, and the customization required for PBVs. It also works in conjunction with the eS platform, specifically, as this skateboard design allows for the flexibility required of these highly customizable vehicles.
First Van
The first PBV that Kia plans to build is a medium-sized van with the codename “SW.” However, this ecosystem is capable of building micro-sized to large sized PBVs to fit many objectives their customers are looking to meet. They outline uses for general logistics, fresh food, multi-seat shuttles, and even mobile offices and shops.
Overall, electric PBVs will only be a small part of the sustainable mobility future of Kia and its parent company, Hyundai Motor Group (HMG). The aim overall is to sell 3.23 million EVs per year globally by 2030, which HMG says will represent around 12 percent of global sales of EVs. They might be well on their way, as the first quarter of 2022 saw a 73 percent increase in EV sales over the same period last year, or about 76.801 units across their brands. With Kia’s proposed foray into the high-demand world of PBVs, which are seeing an increased demand for electrified powertrains, they will continue to leap towards that high goal.
Keyword: Kia Dives Into Purpose-Built EVs With Four New Vehicles, Including Vans