After setting 2025 as the timeline for its made-in-India electric car, Kia has indicated that the product’s pricing will be closer to Tata Motors’ Nexon EV. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the unveiling the facelifted Sonet, Mungs Sik Sohn, Chief Sales and Business Officer, Kia India, also confirmed that the as-yet-unnamed car, being built from scratch for the Indian market, will have a higher range than the Nexon EV.
“Since it is a unique model for India, you would not have seen this kind of an EV anywhere else,’’ stated Sohn, adding, “While I cannot reveal the price range, it will be very affordable, comparable with the Tata Nexon (EV). It will be a mass-market EV and we want to sell more than 10,000 units a year.”
The Nexon EV, priced between Rs. 14.74 to 14.94 lakh (ex-showroom), has been one of the best-selling electric cars in India. It has a per charge range of 325 to 465kms, depending on the variant, and since its launch in 2020, the company has sold more than 50,000 units of this model. As per Canalys, the total number of electric cars sold in India during H1 2023 was up 137 percent on-year, at 48,000 units. In this, Nexon EV had around 20 percent market share.
Quizzed about the range of the upcoming Kia e-car, Sohn maintained, “I can't say exactly since the car is still under development. But it will be much higher than the Nexon (EV).” He, however, acknowledged that the company is facing certain challenges in making a truly affordable mass-market EV in India.
“We are preparing for the local production of the EV in our Anantapur plant (in Andhra Pradesh). One of the biggest challenges is localising the battery system, and we are in discussions with a local manufacturer regarding that,” said Sohn. He clarified that the company has no plans to assemble the EV6 or the upcoming EV9 premium e-SUV in India as volumes are not large in this segment. He also indicated that the company is open to the idea of bringing in more EVs if duties are cut.
Sohn also confirmed that just like Kia's ICE models like Seltos, Sonet, the affordable electric car will also be exported from India to international markets.
Meanwhile, Kia is firming up plans to establish charging stations across its dealership network.
“We wanted to have our charging infrastructure before introducing the mass-market EV. We have already installed 160 kilowatt fast chargers at 16 dealerships, and are planning to install 90 kilowatt chargers across our dealership network,” explained Sohn. He also stated that the company is exploring the feasibility of installing public charging stations in India.
Connected cars catching up
With the introduction of more EVs, the company believes the proportion of connected cars in its line-up will be further enhanced.
“As of now, more than 40 percent of our portfolio is connected. Once we come up with EVs, more of our products will have Kia Connect,” added Sohn.
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