Kia eyes even cheaper $22K entry-level EV and new brand-building Stinger GT-like model
Kia wants to change the game with a series of cheaper EVs set to hit the market. Several are already rolling out, like the new EV3, but Kia aims to lower the bar further with a new entry-level EV, starting around $22,200 (€20,000). On the other end of its EV lineup, Kia is eyeing a new Stinger GT-like model.
We got our first glimpse into Kia’s electrifying future during its first annual EV Day last October. Kia revealed several new low-cost concepts, including the EV3, EV4, and EV5.
Kia is already calling the EV3 a “game-changer” as it rolls out to new markets. After opening EV3 pre-orders in Korea starting at just $30,700 (KRW 42.08 million) in June, Kia’s compact electric SUV secured over 10,000 reservations in 23 days.
Last month, Kia opened EV3 orders in the UK. Starting at $42,300 (£32,995), Kia deemed it the “brand’s most adorable EV yet.”
Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform with its fourth-gen batteries (81.3 kWh), the EV3 offers up to 372 miles (600 km) WLTP range. In Korea, it gets up to 311 miles (501 km) driving range.
Next year, Kia will follow it up with the EV4 hitting the market. The EV4 is Kia’s take on an electric sedan. It’s expected to start at around $35,000 to $40,000.
Although these prices are already below or on par with a comparable gas-powered model, Kia plans to lower the threshold with even cheaper EVs set to join the lineup.
Kia targets cheaper EVs with new segments
Kia has already confirmed that it will launch an EV2 model, priced around $30,000, within the next three years. However, the brand is eyeing an even lower-priced model.
CEO Ho-Sung Song told Autocar during an EV3 test drive that Kia wants to launch an entry-level EV priced around $22,200 (€20,000).
Kia trademarked the names EV1 through EV9, opening up the possibility for cheaper EVs following the EV3. Song said the entry-level EV was the brand’s “next, next target” as it looks to lower the threshold for driving electric.
According to Song, an EV priced below €20,000 would not be likely until after 2030. As new battery and EV powertrain tech emerge, Kia plans to continue lowering the price tag.
The EV3 starts at around €35,000 ($39,000) in Europe, while Kia’s EV2 is expected to start below €30,000 ($33,400).
“Our next target is an EV model starting from €30,000,” Song said. Yet Kia still believes “we need sub-€25,000 in our EV cars, and maybe we can leverage around €20,000,” Song explained. That “cannot happen in the next two years,” Kia’s CEO added.
Kia is also considering a brand-building electric car, like the Stinger GT, to top off the other end of the lineup.
“What kind of model can help build the brand? This is what we are now studying,” Song said. While more incentives are needed, Song explained, “most OEMs are trying our best to reduce the cost of EVs” in the meantime.
Song also confirmed that Kia is developing solid-state batteries that look “in every aspect quite better” than current EV battery tech. However, Kia’s CEO did not say when the company would put electric cars with solid-state batteries on the road.
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China just laid out a plan to roll out over 100,000 ultra-fast EV charging stations by 2027 – and they’ll all be open to the public.
The National Development and Reform Commission’s (NDRC) joint notice, issued on Monday, asks local authorities to put together construction plans for highway service areas and prioritize the ones that see 40% or more usage during holiday travel rushes.
The NDRC notes that China’s ultra-fast EV charging infrastructure needs upgrading as more 800V EVs hit the road. Those high-voltage platforms can handle super-fast charging in as little as 10 to 30 minutes, but only if the charging hardware is up to speed.
China had 31.4 million EVs on the road at the end of 2024 – nearly 9% of the country’s total vehicle fleet. But charging access is still catching up. As of May 2025, there were 14.4 million charging points, or roughly 1 for every 2.2 EVs.
To keep the grid running smoothly, China wants new chargers to be smart, with dynamic pricing to incentivize off-peak charging and solar and storage to power the charging stations.
To make the business side work, the government is pushing for 10-year leases for charging station operators, and it’s backing the buildout with local government bonds.
The NDRC emphasized that the DC fast chargers built will be open to the public. This is a big deal because a lot of fast chargers in China aren’t. For example, BYD’s new megawatt chargers aren’t open to third-party vehicles.
As of September 2024, China had expanded its charging infrastructure to 11.4 million EV chargers, but only 3.3 million were public.
Read more: California now has nearly 50% more EV chargers than gas nozzles
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Tesla is starting to experience some consequences for misleading Full Self Driving customers – at least that’s the finding of one arbitration ruling that has Tesla refunding one customer $10,000 plus legal fees for failing to deliver on their promises. Find out more on today’s legally challenging episode of Quick Charge!
An arbitration “court” found that Tesla misled customers with its Full Self Driving product, and has now been forced to refund at least one person’s $10,000 payment (plus legal fees) for the not-quite autonomous driving software. France, too, is piling on claims of deceptive business practices – but there’s some good news for FSD fans! If you’re still willing to pay for it, Tesla will thrown in 0% financing on a brand new Cybertruck.
Check out the relevant links, below, to learn more.
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