Compact Cars, Large SUVs, and Pickups... Expanding Electric Vehicle Options

Kia Ray Electric Vehicle Launch Imminent... 1- and 2-Seater Van Models Also
Electric Pickup Truck from China Priced in 30 Million KRW Range Sold Domestically
Various Designs Achieved Through Advances in Battery and Vehicle Design Technology

As the adoption of electric vehicles accelerates, various sizes and types of electric cars are emerging one after another. Pure electric vehicles have mainly taken the form of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) with high ground clearance because the battery needs to be placed under the vehicle body. With advancements in drivetrain design technology, including batteries, and automakers now equipped to produce vehicles targeting diverse demands, a variety of options have become available depending on size and purpose.

Kia plans to release an electric version of the compact car Ray. According to recent environmental certification data, the output is about 87 horsepower, slightly higher than the first-generation electric model released in the past (76 horsepower). The Ray electric vehicle, launched in 2011, is considered the first pure electric model introduced to the domestic mass market. The BlueOn electric vehicle, released earlier by Hyundai Motor Group, was supplied mainly for government and local government use.

The first-generation Ray electric vehicle released in 2011. It applied the drive system used in Hyundai Motor Company's BlueOn to the existing Ray exterior and is considered the first pure electric vehicle introduced to the domestic market. The height was slightly increased compared to the internal combustion engine Ray.

The existing Ray electric vehicle was discontinued in 2018. Although it held symbolic value as the first domestic electric car, its market response was not very favorable due to a short driving range of around 100 km and inconvenient charging methods. The new model is expected to show significant improvements in performance and marketability compared to the previous model, as it has been refined with accumulated electrification technology. Along with the regular passenger model, 1- and 2-seater van models without rear seats will also be released. Industry insiders expect it to use Chinese-made lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and BorgWarner’s integrated drive module.

An electric pickup truck has also been launched. The Rich 6 from Zhengzhou Nissan, a joint venture between one of China’s top three automakers and Nissan, recently began sales in Korea. It is the first electric pickup truck sold domestically, marketed under the model name Zela P200. Zhengzhou Nissan mainly produces pickups and SUVs, and according to company information, it can travel 303 km in city driving on a single charge. The government-certified driving range is 285 km (based on standard ambient temperature combined driving range).

Electric pickup truck Rich 6 from China's Dongfeng Motor. Released domestically as Zella P200.

It offers price competitiveness. Using an LFP battery of about 77 kWh and benefiting from cargo vehicle subsidies, the price in Seoul is 40.73 million KRW, and in regions with generous local subsidies, it can be purchased for the mid-30 million KRW range. Domestic electric pickup trucks include a concept model based on the mid-size SUV Torres, unveiled by KG Mobility last April. Final development work is underway aiming for a 2025 release.

The EV9 recently introduced by Kia is a rare pure electric large SUV with three rows of seats. It targets family car demand, offering a spacious interior and a driving range of 500 km on a single charge. Considering that similar-sized electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and Tesla are priced in the mid-100 million KRW range, the EV9 is praised for lowering the entry barrier to electric family cars.

Kia EV9 Interior

The similarity in the appearance of electric vehicles so far has been largely due to the battery. The battery is a key component that determines the performance and efficiency of electric vehicles, but its large size and weight have imposed many design constraints. Most manufacturers have built vehicle platforms with the battery placed under the seats for this reason. However, as battery cell manufacturers and automakers have refined their technologies, more diverse designs have become possible.

China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery company, promotes cell-to-pack technology that eliminates the module stage in the traditional battery structure of cell → module → pack. This can reduce costs or improve performance. BYD’s Blade Battery is based on a similar concept. Tesla went a step further by proposing in 2021 the cell-to-body technology, which integrates the battery cells?the basic unit of the battery?into the vehicle body and chassis.

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