Kia May Make An All-Electric Niro Crossover

As previously rumored, Kia execs are considering manufacturing an all-electric version of the Niro crossover — mostly owing to the model’s current hybrid modality, utility, and size, and also to increasingly strict emissions mandates in major markets.

If Kia does follow through with the “considerations,” then the all-electric version of the Niro will join the Soul EV and the Ioniq EV amongst Kia’s all-electric options.

The recent comments were made by Kia Motors operating chief Tae-Hyun Oh in an interview with the UK’s Car Dealer magazine.

Autoblog provides a bit more: “Kia has sold more than 1,000 Niro hybrid vehicles since that model debuted in August. An all-electric Niro would be based on the same platform as the Kia Ioniq. That model has hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric variants, reflecting what Kia said earlier this year was a three-pronged attack to broaden the Ioniq’s exposure. The all-electric version of the Ioniq, which debuted in South Korea earlier this year and is slated to start sales in the US by the end of 2016, has a 28-kilowatt-hour battery pack that provides a single-charge range of about 110 miles.”

Considering that the all-electric version of the Ioniq has sold pretty well in South Korea to date, I would guess that an all-electric version of the Niro would likely do so as well.

Those looking for more may enjoy the articles below:

• 1,000 Hyundai IONIQ EVs Sold In First 2 Months Of Availability In South Korea
• Fully Electric Kia Niro SUV & Plug-In Hybrid Kia Niro SUV Planned