The ramp-up towards compact affordable EVs is taking shape as Kia confirms it will officially launch the EV2 in January 2026. The announcement, made during the company’s full-year 2024 earnings call, marks a significant milestone for Kia’s “EVs for all” strategy, which aims to rapidly increase its electric car share.
The importance of these small EVs with a low pricing threshold cannot be underestimated. For example, the Hyundai Inster, which is the technical twin of the EV2, is poised to double the brand’s electric car sales in Europe.
The lower end of the field
The EV2 will join Kia’s expanding electric lineup, which includes the EV3, EV4, and EV5. While the first two are positioned as mid-range options, and the EV5 caters to the premium segment, the EV2 is expected to cover the entry-level segment as a competitor to the Citroën ë-C3, the Renault 5 E-Tech, and the awaited Volkswagen ID.2.
The EV2 is designed specifically for the European market and will be produced at Kia’s Zilina, Slovakia plant, marking a historic first for the automaker in Europe. Production, set to ramp up to 100,000 units annually by 2026, also marks the positioning of EV2 as a key player in countering the surge of budget-friendly Chinese EVs entering the European market.
Kia CEO Ho-Sung Song has emphasized the importance of affordability in making EVs mainstream. The EV2 is projected to start at approximately €25,000 in Europe, with potential price points as low as €15,000 in Korea. These pricing variations show a wide gap, so these should be regarded with caution and will depend on battery configuration and market conditions.
Features and specifications
While Kia has not fully unveiled the EV2, early reports suggest that it will feature a design inspired by the larger EV3 and EV5 models. It will have a compact, boxy silhouette similar to the Kia Syros (an ICE model for the Indian market) and the Hyundai Inster to maximize space on a small footprint. The vehicle is expected to be built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, albeit using a 400-volt architecture rather than the 800-volt system found in higher-end models.
The EV2 is rumored to come with two battery options: a 42 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) variant with an estimated range of 300 kilometers and a 62 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NMC) variant offering around 440 kilometers (WLTP cycle). Fast-charging capabilities are expected to allow a 10% to 80% charge in just 31 minutes.
For the inside, the automaker is focusing on making high-tech features accessible in more affordable.
Detailed shots of the Kia EV4 prototype
Kia’s highly anticipated EV4 also continues to take shape, with recent prototype sightings showcasing its production-ready rear light design. Earlier versions featured heavily camouflaged tail lights, leaving much to speculation. However, the latest prototypes reveal a fresh take on Kia’s lighting strategy (as can be seen in the video from Healer TV below).
Unlike the continuous light strip seen in some modern EVs, the EV4’s tail lights feature a distinctive thin red stripe extending deep into the tailgate, interrupted at the center. This design aligns the EV4 with its sibling, the EV3, to align with brand identity while maintaining unique styling cues.
Expected to launch later this year, the Kia Model 3 killer will also build on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. It is projected to deliver a range of 600 kilometers and a spacious, tech-forward interior that introduces the brand’s new connectivity architecture.
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