The electric truck segment is about to get even more crowded, or at least its looking to be so in the next few years, with Kia announcing plans to include two pickups among the 14 BEVs it will bring to market by 2027.
The South Korean carmaker made its announcement shortly after sibling brand Hyundai laid out plans for its own, expanded BEV line-up. Between those two mainstream brands, as well the luxury marque Genesis, the Hyundai Motor Group expects to have a combined 31 all-electric models in production by the end of the decade — though not all of those will come to the U.S.
“Kia has been undergoing a full-scale transformation,” Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song told investors. “To achieve the company’s vision of becoming a Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider, we will focus on accelerating the transition to future business models,” with BEVs central to that transformation.
More EVs
Kia had already committed to bringing 11 battery-electric vehicles to market by 2026. The new plan adds three more models and extends the rollout another year.
We’ve already seen some of what’s in the Kia product pipeline. Its new EV6 crossover has just gone on sale, and a larger version, the EV9, is expected to arrive in 2023. From that point forward, the new plans calls for the release of two all-electric models annually.
The two pickups include one described as a “dedicated” model. That means it will ride on a skateboard-like architecture with batteries and motors under the load floor. Kia did not make clear whether that will be a unique platform or one shared with other BEVs in the works.
Ford, General Motors and Stellantis are each developing specialized, heavy-duty architectures for their future BEV trucks, such as the STL Frame platform that will be used for the upcoming Ram 1500 EV. Up to now, Hyundai Motor Group has said all of its battery-electric models will share a single architecture, dubbed E-GMP.
The second Kia model will be what it described in a statement as “a strategic model for emerging markets.” Reading between the lines, that would more likely be a smaller pickup with a platform that can handle internal combustion drivetrains — possibly hybrid — as well as an all-electric drive system.
EV9 to go from concept to production
Meanwhile, an entry-level SUV is in the works, Kia said. It’s widely speculated that will be called the EV4. There’s also been plenty of buzz of late suggesting an electric equivalent of the sporty Kia Stinger is being developed and will be dubbed the EV8.
Kia did confirm the obvious, that it will deliver a production version of the EV9 concept that it unveiled during the L.A. Auto Show last November — though it’s not expected to adopt the more radical design elements of that show car, such as the pillarless coach doors on both sides.
But the EV9 will be the first Kia to get the new AutoMode autonomous driving technology. Exactly what capabilities it will bring are unclear, though prior comments from the automaker suggest it will offer some level of hands-free operation, in line with General Motors’ Super Cruise. And a statement from Kia noted that AutoMode “will be improved as the technology develops.” That won’t require buyers to trade in, however.
Tech on-demand
The EV9 and models to follow will feature smartphone-style Over-the-Air update, or OTA, capabilities. In turn, that will allow for the brand’s new “Feature on Demand” service. That’s in line with what we’re beginning to see across the industry. Owners could unlock additional vehicle capabilities or even subscription services, possibly by paying a monthly fee or a one-time charge.
The technology promises to let vehicles remain fresh even after they’ve been in service for several years and those who purchase a vehicle on the used market conceivably could add features and functions not picked by the original owner.
As the rollout continues, Kia plans to launch production in not only South Korea but China, India and the U.S., as well. The first model built in the States will be a midsize SUV launching in 2024.
Big expectations
Globally, Kia aims to sell 160,000 BEVs this year, or 5% of its total volume. That is forecast to quintuple, to 807,000, or 21% of total volume, by 2026. If the carmaker can stick to plan, BEVs will generate 1.2 million sales by 2030, or 30% of its worldwide total. It is betting the share will be closer to 45% in key markets including Korea, North America, Europe and China.
To back up the BEV program, Kia expects it will need to boost its supply of batteries from 13 gigawatt-hours today to 119 GWh by the end of the decade.