Discover Kia’s electrifying vision for the future with the upcoming EV2, a small and budget-friendly electric car expected to hit UK roads by 2026, priced at under £25,000.
This transformational step follows Kia’s groundbreaking EV Day in South Korea, where they unveiled their commitment to electric mobility through two cutting-edge EV concepts, the EV3 SUV and EV4 saloon. Alongside these revelations, Kia shared insights into the production version of the EV5, a midsize SUV.
Positioned beneath the EV3, the EV2 exemplifies Kia’s dedication to democratizing electric vehicles, aiming to make them accessible to a broader audience. While no official images were unveiled, Kia’s assurance that the EV2 will be their most affordable model in the upcoming electric lineup is a game-changer.
The EV range
As part of Kia’s ambitious EV strategy, spanning from EVs with badges 1 to 9 over the next five years, the EV2 marks just the beginning. It’s highly likely that a more budget-friendly and compact model, potentially named EV1, will follow suit shortly.
The EV3 concept is tailored for the small SUV segment, while the EV4 is a mid-sized saloon, hinting at the EV2’s potential as a compact crossover (CUV) built on Kia’s dedicated electric vehicle E-GMP platform. In size, it may resemble the popular Ceed model but infused with SUV-style cues.
Anticipated for a 2026 release with an estimated price of around £25,000, the EV2 competes squarely with upcoming electric vehicles like the Renault 5 and BYD Dolphin, targeting the cost-conscious end of the electric car market.
While the initial launch appears Euro-centric, the UK market is expected to welcome the EV2, addressing a vital gap as Kia’s most affordable electric model in the UK currently is the relatively dated Kona Electric SE.
The EV2 is poised to offer superior interior space, enhanced materials, and an extended electric range compared to rivals such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Kona Electric SE, all at an extremely competitive price point.
Acknowledging the charging network and price premium as the two main hurdles to mass EV adoption, Kia is actively addressing these challenges. Collaborating with Ionity in Europe, Kia plans to install 7,000 new chargers by 2025. Efforts to bolster the UK’s charging infrastructure are also underway.
Excitingly, Kia intends to manufacture small electric vehicles in Europe, with the EV2 as a vital part of this venture. Expect a concept version of the EV2 to provide a sneak peek into the future, aligning with Kia’s strategy of introducing near-production concept models before official launches, as witnessed with the EV9, EV4, and EV5.
To optimize production costs, the EV2 is likely to share the E-GMP architecture with the EV3 and EV4, albeit limiting its support for ultra-fast charging due to its 400V system. Kia contemplates both single-motor and dual-motor powertrains for the EV2, potentially reserving the latter for a high-performance ‘EV2 GT’ variant.
The introduction of the EV2 at approximately £25,000 marks a pivotal moment in Kia’s electric vehicle sales strategy. It widens access for customers who may not have considered a larger electric SUV, making electric hatchback crossovers more accessible in the UK market.
Data from May 2023 reveals that the average transaction price for a new EV is approximately £42,000, roughly £5,000 more than a comparable ICE purchase. By offering models that push the price down to £30,000 or even below £25,000, Kia is poised to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and cement its role as a major player in the UK’s burgeoning EV landscape.
