The budget Kia electric car that could be coming to South Africa

The new Kia EV2 could be the first electric vehicle (EV) from the South Korean manufacturer to make it to South African showrooms.

Unveiled in concept form in February, the EV2 is Kia’s newest and smallest EV and is expected to come to market in 2026 at a price point of around £25,000 (R590,000), which would also make it the most budget-friendly of Kia’s EVs thus far.

While it has thus far only been confirmed for Europe, there is a chance that the EV2 might be coming to South Africa as well.

We found several trademark applications for the battery-powered SUV on South Africa’s Companies and Intellectual Property Commission dating as far back as June 2021, suggesting that Kia has been thinking about a local EV2 introduction for almost four years by now.

The EV2 trademarks, and their current status, are detailed in the following table:

Additionally, Albrecht Gründel, Director of Sales Marketing at Kia South Africa, recently explained that the local market has been a tough one to crack for EVs from a pricing perspective.

High levels of taxes make these vehicles unaffordable for many, while an unstable electricity grid and a perceived lack of charging infrastructure further muddy the waters.

Furthermore, unlike many European countries, the South African government doesn’t provide any subsidies for EV purchases which makes it “really difficult” to bring in a competitively priced model, said Gründel.

Kia’s strategy, therefore, is to homologate all its EVs to comply with local regulations so that when all the stars align, it can launch these cars with haste.

Homologation refers to the certification that a vehicle complies with the relevant legislation, standards, and specifications of a particular country, as well as codes of practice, before use by the public on public roads, and it tends to be quite a lengthy process.

With several automakers continually lobbying government to introduce EV buying incentives, they could become a reality in the near future which would bolster the case for a local rollout of the EV2 at a palatable price point.

What to expect

Thus far only shown off in concept form, the new EV2 offers “innovative technology and practicality beyond its size” and aims to make electric cars “truly accessible for everyone,” said Kia President and CEO, Ho Sung Song.

To that end, it features an angular design typical of modern times with a touch of flair provided by Kia’s Star Map lighting signature, upright LED daytime running lights, rugged front and rear bumpers, and geometric fender flares surrounding trendy alloy wheels.

Cabin space is maximised through these blocky proportions while they simultaneously ensure a more commanding presence on the road than what you normally get with a compact crossover.

Opening the doors reveals a minimalist, modern passenger cell complete with rear-hinged back doors and configurable seating for heightened practicality.

The second-row seats fold up allowing the front row to slide back as far as possible, enabling occupants to stretch out their legs or even sit on the vehicle’s flat floor to enjoy a meal.

Diagonal LED lighting on the front door cards create visual contrast between the front and rear chairs and is complemented by triangular-pattern ambient lighting and a unique LED dashboard animation.

Meanwhile, the triangular metal surface running along the lower portion of the dashboard houses a wireless charger and a power outlet, providing “tri-functional versatility that elevates the overall cabin experience.”

Another innovative ability is Kia’s so-called message lighting which allows occupants to display text messages through the windows to communicate with pedestrians and other road users.

The triangular speakers mounted in the doors are also removable and portable so that owners can position them where they please inside the car, or take them out altogether to enjoy their tunes elsewhere.

Being a concept, Kia has yet to reveal the powertrain specifics of the EV2.

Kia has said there will be a performance variant on offer, so expect both single and dual-motor setups eventually reaching the roads.

Maximum driving range is expected to sit somewhere around 400km to keep up with its existing European rivals, and Kia has confirmed that it will support Vehicle-to-Load functionality.

Vehicle-to-Load transfers power from the EV’s battery to connected appliances and devices such as a smartphone, television, coffee machine, or even another electric car.

Kia EV2 Concept