Kia plans new entry-level EV and electric crossover to expand lineup
Kia plans to expand its lineup of all-electric vehicles over the next few years as it pushes toward becoming a sustainable mobility leader. Despite releasing its first three-row electric SUV, Kia plans to downsize with smaller models, including an entry-level EV and an electric crossover.
Kia steps into the electric era
After what many consider a successful introduction to the EV market with its first dedicated electric car, the EV6, Kia recently revealed it was planning to accelerate its strategy.
Kia revealed the EV6 crossover, based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP architecture (the same used for the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6), last May and has continued to receive praise from buyers and auto journalists. Steven Center, COO and EVP of Kia America, said:
The all-electric EV6 delivers on the matters that make an EV rise to the top of the class, such as a starting MSRP under $50,000, an EPA estimated range of 310 miles of all electric range, in its Wind and GT-Line RWD trims as well as numerous other characteristics that make it desirable to own.
The South Korean automaker unveiled its flagship EV9, its first three-row electric SUV, in March in a push to grab its share of the booming premium SUV market.
Kia began deliveries of the new electric SUV Monday in South Korea with plans for it to go on sale in the US by the end of the year.
However, this is just the beginning for Kia. David Hilbert, marketing director for Kia Europe, told Autocar the brand would “have coverage in all major segments,” hinting at models between the EV1 and EV9.
Kia plans new entry-level EV and electric crossover
We have already seen a glimpse of some of the smaller electric models Kia plans to offer. Earlier this year, Kia revealed its EV5 SUV concept, which will sit between the Niro EV and EV6 in the automaker’s lineup.
Kia says the production version will be launched later this year in China and will later be available in Europe. It’s expected to play a key role alongside the EV6 to drive market share in China.
Meanwhile, Kia is looking even smaller, something such as a Jeep Avenger rival that could be called the EV3. Hilbert mentioned the B-segment SUV market is “the largest segment in Europe,” making it a key area of focus.
The Hyundai Motor Group, Kia’s parent company, is already developing a successor for the E-GMP platform, which could house smaller EV models.
The first EV to ride on Hyundai’s next-gen “eM” platform is reportedly a Kia electric sports car, codenamed GT1. Hyundai has previously said the platform is being “specifically developed for EVs across all segments” while enhancing range by up to 50%.
With plans to build “small and mid-size EVs” from 2025 at its Slovakia factory (where the Kia Creed and Sportage are made), the EV5 could be a match.
Hilbert claims the brand plans to offer hatches and sedans in the future, claiming “all the major segments will be covered in some form [by 2027].” Kia is also committed to the A-segment, suggesting an entry-level EV is in the works that could rival Volkswagen’s upcoming ID 2all affordable EV.
Electrek’s Take
There’s been a wave of automakers targeting the entry-level affordable EV segment. Volkswagen teased the idea, releasing the ID2 all-concept earlier this year with nearly 300 miles (450 km) of range.
CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Thomas Shafer, explained, “The ID 2all shows where we want to take the brand,” adding, “We are implementing the transformation at pace to bring electric mobility to the masses.”
Stellantis also recently revealed it would release an entry-level EV starting at around $27,000 (€25,000), the Citroën e-C3 city car.
Kia seems to be the next in line as the need for affordable EV options continues rising in key markets globally.
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Following approval from Transport Canada, EV startup Workhorse will be bringing the W56 and W750 model electric delivery vans to commercial truck dealers in Canada as early as this spring.
Workhorse first showed its W56 medium-duty electric truck at Indiana’s Work Truck Week in 2023, and has sold the trucks to logistics and delivery companies like FedEx and Pride Group – which ordered more than six thousand of the electric vans in 2021, and continues to expand its fleet.
“This is a major step forward for Workhorse,” says Josh Anderson, Workhorse’s chief technology officer in a press statement. “Pre-clearance from Transport Canada opens up a large new market for our products throughout Canada, including with fleets that operate across borders in North America.”
As part of the approval process, Workhorse completed its registration as a foreign manufacturer under Transport Canada’s Appendix G clearance program. Transport Canada confirmed the vans’ compliance with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for both vehicles – but it remains to be seen if and how the latest tariff-driven trade war between the Trump Administration’s US and Canada will impact Workhorse’s plans to expand throughout North America.
Despite that uncertainty, Workhorse execs remain upbeat. “We’re excited that our electric step vans can now reach Canadian roads and highways, providing reliable, zero-emission solutions that customers can depend on,” added Anderson.
Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.
Electrek’s Take
There’s no other way to say it: the Trump/Musk co-presidency is disrupting a lot of companies’ plans – and that’s especially true across North American borders. But in all this chaos and turmoil there undoubtedly lies opportunity, and it will be interesting to see who ends up on top.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Workhorse, via Electric Autonomy Canada.
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![Liebherr developing giant, 140-ton Segway-style autonomous haulers [video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/operational-area-earth-moving-copy.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The new Liebherr S1 Vision 140-ton hauler is unlike any heavy haul truck currently on the market – primarily because the giant, self-propelled, single-axle autonomous bucket doesn’t look anything like any truck you’ve ever seen.
Liebherr says its latest heavy equipment concept was born from a desire to rethink truck design with a focus only on core functions. The resulting S1 Vision is primarily just a single axle with two powerful electric motors sending power to a pair of massive airless tires designed carry loads up to 131 tonnes (just over 140 tons).
The design enables rapid maintenance, as important components easily accessible for quick servicing. Wear parts can be replaced efficiently, and the electric drive significantly reduces maintenance work. This helps to minimise downtimes and increases operational efficiency.
LIEBHERR
Because of its versatility, durability, and ability to perform zero-turn maneuvers that other equipment simply can’t, the Liebherr S1 Vision can be adapted for various applications, including earthmoving, mining, and even agriculture. There’s also a nonzero chance of this technology finding applications supporting other on-site equipment through charging or fuel delivery.
The S1 accomplishes that trick safely with the help of an automatic load leveling system that ensures maximum stability, even on bumpy or rough terrain. The company says this technology significantly reduces the risk of tipping while providing smooth and secure operation across various environments.
Liebherr will show the S1 Vision at this year’s bauma equipment exhibition in Munich, Germany. The design has already been nominated for the bauma Innovation Award in the Mechanical Engineering category – and my money’s on it winning.
Electrek’s Take
This is such goofy, stupid fun that if it was wheelbarrow-sized I’d have three of them. I can’t imagine the insanity of watching one of these things roll across a job site with 100 tons of granite in the bucket – and will have nightmares about the kind of damage it could do if it flipped out like a poorly made Chinese hoverboard clone whipping a toddler across a living room … which, in fairness, would probably get a billion views on Instagram or TikTok or whatever.
I can’t wait.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Liebherr.
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The HD arm of Hyundai has just released the first official images of the new, battery-electric HX19e mini excavator – the first ever production electric excavator from the global South Korean manufacturer.
The HX19e will be the first all-electric asset to enter series production at Hyundai Construction Equipment, with manufacturing set to begin this April.
The new HX19e will be offered with either a 32 kWh or 40 kWh li-ion battery pack – which, according to Hyundai, is nearly double the capacity offered by its nearest competitor (pretty sure that’s not correct –Ed.). The 40kWh battery allows for up to 6 hours and 40 minutes of continuous operation between charges, with a break time top-up on delivering full shift usability.
Those batteries send power to a 13 kW (17.5 hp) electric motor that drives an open-center hydraulic system. Hyundai claims the system delivers job site performance that is at least equal to, if not better than, that of its diesel-powered HX19A mini excavator.
To that end, the Hyundai XH19e offers the same 16 kN bucket breakout force and a slightly higher 9.4 kN (just over 2100 lb-ft) dipper arm breakout force. The maximum digging depth is 7.6 feet, and the maximum digging reach is 12.9 feet. Hyundai will offer the new electric excavator with just four selectable options:
- enclosed cab vs. open canopy
- 32 or 40 kWh battery capacity
All HX19es will ship with a high standard specification that includes safety valves on the main boom, dipper arm, and dozer blade hydraulic cylinders, as well as two-way auxiliary hydraulic piping allows the machine to be used with a range of commercially available implements. The hydraulics needed to operate a quick coupler, LED booms lights, rotating beacons, an MP3 radio with USB connectivity, and an operator’s seat with mechanical suspension are also standard.
Like its counterparts at Volvo CE, the new Hyundai excavator uses automotive-style charging ports to take advantage of existing infrastructure at fleet depots and public charging stations. More detailed specifications, dimensions, and pricing should be announced by bauma.
Electrek’s Take
The ability to operate indoors, underground, or in environments like zoos and hospitals were keeping noise levels down is of critical importance to the success of an operation makes electric equipment assets like these coming from Hyundai a must-have for fleet operators and construction crews that hope to remain competitive in the face of ever-increasing noise regulations. The fact that these are cleaner, safer, and cheaper to operate is just icing on that cake.
SOURCE | IMAGES: HD Hyundai; via Construction Index, Equipment World.
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