Kia Launches Pre-Orders for First PBV Niro Plus... Battery Replacement Service Included

Kia Niro Plus

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Kia began accepting pre-orders for the Niro Plus, set to launch at the end of this month, starting from the 12th. This is the company's first purpose-built vehicle (PBV) model, targeting commercial use such as taxis and ride-hailing services.

Based on the first-generation Niro electric vehicle, the Niro Plus was developed by actively reflecting the opinions of its main customer base, including extending the vehicle's length (overall length) and height (overall height) and revising the interior layout. It combines a 64 kWh high-voltage battery with a maximum output of 150 kW motor, applies new tires, and an optimized regenerative braking system, enabling a driving range of 392 km on a single charge (based on 17-inch tires and a combined energy efficiency of 5.3 km/kWh). Notably, in urban areas, the driving range increases by about 4% to 433 km.

The vehicle will be released in taxi and commercial-use models. The taxi model features a display integrating various functions necessary for business operations. For commercial use, a camping package option is available, considering the demand from camping and picnic enthusiasts.

Kia Niro Plus

Along with the new vehicle, various new services have been introduced, attracting attention. The taxi model offers an industry-leading warranty of 10 years or 300,000 km on the high-voltage battery. The battery refurbishing service is being offered for the first time in Korea. When the warranty period ends or if the battery is replaced due to an accident at the owner's expense, the service replaces it with a refurbished battery priced at about one-third of a new battery.

Individual taxi customers can choose a subscription-based charging rate plan, while corporate taxi customers can have a 100 kW fast charger installed free of charge. A dedicated membership for individual taxi drivers has been launched, offering roaming services that allow charging without membership registration for each charging service provider. The subscription plan offers discounts of up to 1,400 kW per month. By paying a monthly subscription fee, customers can charge at up to the contracted amount at EsTraffic fast charging stations, a partner company, at a 50% discounted rate. At fast charging stations operated by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), a 20% discount is applied. The company expects that choosing the 30,000 KRW monthly subscription plan could provide discounts of up to approximately 43%. Corporate taxi customers can have up to four fast chargers, each costing about 60 million KRW, installed free of charge regardless of the number of vehicles purchased.

Prices, before electric vehicle tax benefits and based on a 3.5% individual consumption tax, are 46.21 million KRW for the taxi model Light and 47.78 million KRW for the Air Trim. The commercial-use models are priced at 47.78 million KRW for the Air and 49.04 million KRW for the Earth. If purchased with subsidies from Seoul City, which has allocated additional eco-friendly electric taxi subsidies, prices can be in the low 30 million KRW range.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.