Kia’s more affordable EV2 is getting ready to undercut Tesla

Kia’s lineup of electrical vehicles are growing. | Image: Kia

The Kia EV2, the automaker’s small, affordable electrical crossover, has been spotted connected the thoroughfare successful camouflage. It’s the archetypal clip the exemplary has been seen successful the wild, though the EV2 is not presently confirmed for the US.

The timing of the sighting is peculiarly important fixed caller quality that Tesla whitethorn have canned its plans for a $25,000 mass-market “Model 2” vehicle. Elon Musk reportedly mothballed the affordable EV successful favour of going each successful connected the company’s plans for a afloat autonomous robotaxi.

No authoritative terms has been acceptable for the Kia EV2, but Electrek says it could beryllium 20 cardinal won, oregon astir $15,000. Other reports person it under $30,000 — which would beryllium considerably much affordable than the existent mean retail terms for an EV astatine astir $52,000.

Many EV manufacturers implicit the years person promised to physique inexpensive electrical cars for the masses, but not galore person gone beyond the conception table. Chinese automakers person introduced a fig of highly inexpensive EVs, like BYD $11,500 Seagull, but nary are disposable successful the US acknowledgment to precocious tariffs.

Volkswagen has said it plans to yet present a $26,000 EV called the ID.2all, and Ford has a skunkworks division presently moving connected a lineup of cheaper EVs.

Kia and sister automaker Hyundai person introduced respective competitively priced EVs utilizing its shared E-GMP platform, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 and Kia EV6 and EV9. Kia’s EV6, successful particular, has been a deed successful the US and stands connected its own arsenic a viable alternate to Tesla’s Model 3 and Y.

Kia’s EV9 launched earlier this twelvemonth and is garnering wide involvement from those who need 3 rows of seating and privation to determination to electric. Kia is also planning a smaller crossover SUV with the EV3 and an affordable sedan with the EV4 aboriginal this year. Meanwhile, the EV5, a smaller mentation of the EV9, has launched successful China.