As the automotive world continues to evolve with the advent of electric vehicles, carmakers also align their sustainability plans. After other carmakers reveal their electric roadmap, it is now the turn of Kia to reveal what it has in store for the future. The South Korean carmaker’s plans for 2030 are quite ambitious, as it entails expanding its vehicle lineup to include 14 BEV models.
Around 1.2 Million BEV Sales In 2030
Kia’s 2030 roadmap builds from its Plan S strategy revealed in 2020. In the short term (2022), Kia is targeting to sell 160,000 BEVs, which would account for 5% of its annual sales target. Kia plans to increase that to 807,000 BEVs by 2026, accounting for 21% of its annual sales target. By 2030, BEVs should make up 30% of the carmaker’s sales, shooting the target up to 1.2 million units. Kia expects Korea, North America, Europe and China to account for 80% of its BEV sales in 2030.
To achieve this target, Kia will overhaul the roles of individual production sites. For instance, South Korea will become its global hub for R&D, production and supply of EVs. Its sites in the United States will focus producing electric versions of its mid-sized SUVs and pickups starting 2024. European sites will commence production of small and medium-sized EVs in 2025. At the same time, Chinese sites will concentrate on mid-size EVs, while Indian facilities will build entry and mid-size EV models.
14 BEV Models In The Market By 2027
As for its product plans, Kia is planning to launch at least 14 BEV models by 2027. The carmaker will start off by launching at least two BEVs every year starting in 2023. By 2027, Kia’s new lineup will include two electric pickup trucks as well as an entry-level BEV model.
The onslaught will include its EV9 flagship large electric SUV that will enter the market in 2023. When launched, the five-meter long EV9 will offer a 0-62 mph sprint time of five seconds and around 335 miles of electric range (single charge). The EV9 can travel up to 62 miles with a six-minute charge and will feature OTA (Over the Air) and FoD (Feature on Demand) services.
More Targets For Kia To Achieve By Start Of New Decade
Kia’s other targets include selling four million vehicles and more than 2 million eco-friendly models by 2030, expanding connected car and autonomous driving technologies to all its vehicles by 2026, and becoming the #1 brand in terms of the global purpose-built vehicle (PBV) sales by the start of the next decade.
Source: Kia