Kia the South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer is all set to launch its first electric car in India.
Several carmakers have jumped on the bandwagon so the electric car segment has grown significantly in India.
India Energy Storage Alliance has projected a report that the EV market in India will grow at a CAGR of 36% till 2026 and the battery market for EVs is also projected to grow at a CAGR of 30% within the period
So several car manufacturers in India are serious about the electric segment now.
Kia EV6 Launch in India
According to the reports, the Korean carmaker will launch the EV6 electric cross-over in India by June 2022 this year.
EV6 first was globally disclosed in 2021. The car is based on Electric-Global Modular (E-GM) platform. The E-GM platform is designed especially for EV vehicles.
Before EV6, Kia car has produced 2 electric vehicles “Soul” and “Niro” and has been selling successfully in the international market for many years.
The EV6 which is set to launch in India will have no changes in its design, features, e-GMP platform, or electric powertrain
Kia EV6 Battery and Range
As of now, there are no exact reports that reveal the exact specification of the car but global wise EV6 comes with two variants with different battery packs. 58 kWh unit and other 77.4 kWh unit.
The 58 kWh battery comes with a 168kW rear motor which claims a range of 373km with 170 horsepower
The other variant of battery 77.4 kWh gets a 168 kW rear motor which claims a range of nearly about 500 km with 229 horsepower.
Kia EV6 Features
EV6 will have 2 touchscreens on the dashboard. The big screen will be used for the infotainment system and the second screen will be used for digital dials.
EV6 has some more features…
- Clamshell Bonnet
- Sleek Grille
- Wide Air Vent
- Large LED Headlamps with LED DRLs.
- Indicator mounted ORVMs, Black B-pillars
- 19-inch designer alloy wheels.
- Multiple Airbags, High Beam Assist.
The Kia EV6 is expected to be priced in the range of 60 to 70 lakhs in India.
Kia Biography
Kia is the second-largest car manufacturer in Seoul, South Korea after its parent company Hyundai Motor Company.
According to the company, the brand name Kia is gleaned from Sino-Korean characters (Ki-to arise) and (a-stands for Asia) It is translated as “Rising from Asia”
Kia was born in 1944 as Kyungsung Precision Industry Korea’s first domestic producing bicycle. The Kyungsung Precision Industry was renamed Kia Industries in 1952.
The brand had a quite hustle-bustle in its automobile business journey. From halting car production in 1981 due to dictator to going bankrupt in 1997 during Asian Financial Crisis.
Later Kia Shaked-hands with Hyundai Motor Company to expand by exchanging ownership between the two companies. Kia sold a 51% stake to Hyundai Motor Company outbidding Ford who had an interest in Kia in the long term.
As of December 31st, 2015, Hyundai owns a 33.88% stake in Kia Motors.
Kia in India
Kia officially entered India in July 2019 with their Made for India SUV-SP2 concept and now known as the global mid-sized SUV Kia Seltos.
Kia made a record of fastest car manufacturer on 31st July 2020 which crossed 100,000 car sales in India.
Kia in Défense
Kia Motors is the official supplier of military vehicles to the South Korean Government since 1976. Now it is known as Hyundai Wia.
EV Future in India
According to a report published in India Briefing, the EV industry in India is picking stride with 100% FDI possible.
A load of oil imports, pollution, as well as international commitments to combat global climate change are some specific features motivating India’s recent policies to speed up the transition to e-mobility.
As per Independent Study by the Centre for Energy Finance, the EV market in India will be $206 billion by 2030 if India meets steady progress to meet the target.
It will require a $180billioninvestment in vehicle production and charging infrastructure.
Launch of ‘e-AMRIT’ Portal: Platform for Information on Electric Vehicle.
India launched the website e-AMRIT at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow, which features all the information on electric vehicles
It showcases key concerns about the espousal of EVs and their purchase such as charging facility, locations and EV financing options, details about investment opportunities, government policies, and subsidies available for drivers and manufacturers.
Image credit: Wikipedia