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By Open Chronicle
SEOUL — Kia is doubling down on its commitment to affordable electric mobility with the development of a new entry-level city car, expected to be dubbed the EV1. The move signals a direct challenge to upcoming European rivals like the Renault Twingo E-Tech and the Volkswagen ID.1.
The South Korean automaker recently unveiled the production version of the EV2 crossover, but internal discussions have already shifted toward an even smaller, more accessible model. Kia Europe’s Marketing Director, David Hilbert, confirmed that the company is actively studying the “A-segment”, the ultra-compact category currently occupied by the petrol-powered Picanto.
“The whole industry is looking at how they make EVs more accessible. Of course, we’re doing that as well,” Hilbert said during the reveal of the EV2. He hinted that the naming convention was a deliberate choice to leave room for a smaller sibling: “Obviously, it’s called EV2 for a reason.”
The proposed EV1 is expected to target a starting price of approximately €20,000 to €25,000 (roughly £17,000 to £21,000), significantly lowering the barrier to entry for electric vehicle ownership. While the EV2 offers a substantial range of up to 448 km, the EV1 will likely prioritize urban efficiency over long-distance travel. To keep costs low, industry experts anticipate the use of smaller lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries and a simplified 400-volt architecture.
Measuring approximately 3.7 meters in length, the EV1 would serve as an electric successor or companion to the Picanto, which remains a high-volume seller for Kia in Europe. The timing of the launch is rumored for the latter half of the decade, potentially arriving by 2027.
The development comes at a critical time as the European Union considers new regulations for a “cheap electric car” category. These rules could allow manufacturers to reduce certain active safety features in exchange for lower retail prices, helping European-built cars compete with budget-friendly Chinese imports like the BYD Seagull.
As urban centers across Europe increasingly implement low-emission zones, Kia’s push into the sub-€25k market could prove vital for maintaining its market share in the face of a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.