Several automakers have promised affordable EVs, but so far, none have truly delivered. Tesla’s $25,000 EV appears to have been canceled, and others have struggled with the profitability of more expensive models. Kia’s now jumping into the fray with the EV4, a small electric car it promises will land with a reasonable price and widespread availability.
Kia said the EV4 will arrive in 2025 and noted that it plans to build 70,000 units annually. The car’s starting price is expected to come in at under $35,000, which would make it one of the most affordable electric models in the U.S., assuming it comes here.
The automaker already has an EV4 prototype and is expected to start production in March 2025. There’s no word on specs or performance, but the car will likely have an alternative battery chemistry that costs less to source and produce, though that could come at the expense of a long range estimate. This new-new car joins the also-new EV3, which debuted in Korea a few weeks ago. The EV3 starts at just under $31,000 and could drop lower with incentives.
Love EVs or hate them, there’s no denying that Kia and Hyundai are on fire in the space. Kia recently rolled out the three-row EV9 in the United States, and Hyundai’s high-performance Ioniq 5 N is an impressively quick vehicle that still offers a decent range and nice interior. Both automakers have not yet been able to meet the requirements for U.S. EV tax credits, but Kia has begun production of the EV9 in Georgia, and Hyundai will follow suit soon.
[Images: Kia]
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