Kia EV1: The Electric City Car is Becoming Even Smaller and More Affordable
Kia is reportedly working on a new electric vehicle (EV) model, the EV1, set to be even smaller than the anticipated EV2—a compact electric car designed for European cities. The EV1 is intended to become the electric version of the Kia Picanto, a popular subcompact hatchback already available across Europe.
This potential addition to Kia’s EV lineup suggests a move toward offering more accessible electric vehicles. The EV1 is expected to be priced around €5,000 ($5,200) less than the EV2. Last week, Kia revealed several upcoming electric models. The EV2 concept previews a production model by the same name. It shrinks the E-GMP platform and is designed for drivers needing a car that doesn’t take up much space. Kia, however, might have even smaller plans.
According to Autocar, Kia is developing a smaller electric equivalent to the Picanto city car, which could potentially be the EV1. The Hyundai Inster and EV2 are among the smallest EVs from the Hyundai-Kia group. Considering these models are not sold in the United States, it’s even less likely that the EV1 would be, given its anticipated miniature size.
Industry reports suggest that Kia has a comprehensive family of EVs in the pipeline, from the EV9 all the way down to the potential EV1 model.
For perspective, the Hyundai Inster measures 150.6 inches (3.82 meters) in length and 63.4 inches (1.61 meters) in width, with a 101.6-inch (2.58-meter) wheelbase. The Kia Picanto is nearly 9 inches (22 cm) shorter and even narrower. It’s therefore expected that the upcoming EV1 will be roughly the same size as the Picanto.
Reports indicate the EV1 could cost approximately €25,000 ($26,000), about €5,000 ($5,200) more than the EV2. Kia president Ho Sung Song, as quoted by Autocar, stated, “If we want to move to the late majority customer target group, definitely we need a lower size of model—or a lower-price model—and we are internally studying what will be our entry EV models, apart from our EV2. Maybe next EV Day, we’ll show you what we are planning.”
Europe already has EVs comparable to the future EV1 in size, including the Dacia Spring, the Leapmotor T03, and the BYD Seagull. Renault is also planning an electric revival of the Twingo, which will share its architecture with an even more affordable Dacia EV—potentially replacing the current Spring. The upcoming Dacia EV is expected to start around €18,000 ($18,800). This is noticeably more affordable than other vehicles of similar size, including the prospective EV1.
