Kia reveals images of new low-cost EV with 350-mile range – but drivers worry about charging speed

KIA has revealed the first images of its new electric vehicle – the 2026 EV3.

The EV, which could debut in the US next year, will have a smaller interior but will remind car enthusiasts of the much larger EV9.

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A base model along with a GT-Line version will be available to consumers, reports Car and driver.

Kia’s new car will have an 81.4 kWh battery and 350 miles of range.

It should also be available in nine different body colors and four earthy tones: Aventurine Green, Shale Grey, Frost Blue and Terracotta.

According to Car and Driver, the vehicle’s GT-Line is slated for all-wheel drive, while the standard EV3 is front-wheel drive.

Kia has remained tight-lipped about most of the car’s features, however, it has also been noted that the vehicle will come equipped with an Artificial Intelligence navigation system.

The automaker boasted that the car had the ability to charge from 10 to 80 percent in half an hour.

Kia is currently eyeing a $30,000 to $50,000 price range.

Many potential buyers seem excited by the news.

“This is the kind of EV I could buy,” one person wrote.

“Sleek, big enough, smartly packaged, good variety, perfect for my dense urban neighborhood. If Kia can offer a $30,000 base price for a decent trim version that’s actually available, they’ve got a hit .”

“This is what a lot of buyers want,” a second person joked.

One thing I see Kia doing here that other manufacturers will be watching: installing a big HV battery in a small car to give it the range buyers ‘think’ it should have.”

Why aren’t people buying EVs?

In January, many electric vehicle manufacturers reported sluggish demand. Rueters said there are a few valid reasons for the slowdown in demand:

1. High initial costs. Many automakers, including Tesla, Hyundai and Ford, have carried out “price cuts” on their flagship electric vehicles to attract new buyers, even as demand remains sluggish.
2. Higher insurance costs. Some insurers cite fire risks, high battery replacement costs and greater vehicle weight as reasons for higher premiums.
3. Loaded anxiety. A large percentage of people remain afraid of finding themselves in a situation where they will not be able to charge if they run out of battery due to a lack of infrastructure.
4. Range anxiety. In many cases, EVs still do not have the range and infrastructure of gas-powered vehicles.
5. Poor performance at extreme temperatures. Reduced range in extremely hot or cold climates makes potential buyers wary.

Source: Reuters

Others, however, were not so impressed.

“I don’t like the trend of creating range just by filling higher capacity batteries,” one person wrote on Facebook.

“It increases weight, loading time, cost, and reduces handling. I would rather they make it efficient first.”

Someone expressed concern about the charging capabilities, adding, “This is just the replacement for the eNiro and unfortunately it is not on the 800V system, which significantly helps charging speed and cold weather range.”

News of Kia’s new EV comes days after Renault and Volkswagen split on the development of their own electric vehicle.

The two companies reportedly “couldn’t reach an agreement,” a source said Reuters.

A second source claimed that the pair were very close to signing a deal, but the deal fell apart when Volkswagen declared its intention to develop the car itself.

If the deal had been signed, the energy-efficient car would have hit the market in 2026 – around the same time as the Kia car is expected to hit the market.

“We are currently examining several options to expand our product portfolio in the area of ​​even more affordable all-electric basic mobility,” Pietro Zollino, head of corporate communications at Volkswagen, told The US Sun.

Volkswagen’s exit from negotiations was a blow to Renault CEO Luca de Meo, who had hoped for a greater sense of camaraderie between European and Chinese car manufacturers.

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