Kia EV1 - Small Electric SUV for India to Challenge Tata Punch EV

Kia has recently revealed the EV2 concept, which previews the brand's smallest electric SUV globally. Interestingly, the company is reportedly developing an even smaller e-SUV which is likely to debut in early next year. Kia CEO, Ho-Sung Song confirms that the EV2 concept will show a way to a product that will be the brand's cheapest electric SUV, but also said that an even-smaller EV1 could also come in picture. 

The Kia EV2 measures somewhere between 4.10 meter and 4.20 meter in length, while the EV3 is a 4.30 meter electric vehicle. It is expected that the Kia EV1 will be a sub-4 meter SUV and will be the most affordable Kia electric SUV ever. The new entry-level electric SUV is expected to make a debut in concept form at the next Kia EV day in February 2026. 

What's interesting is that Kia EV1 could make its way to our market. It is no secret that Kia is testing a small electric SUV with Sonet body in India. In fact, few media reports reveal that the Korean brand could use Syros as a base for the next electric SUV in India. 

The Kia EV2 is based on the dedicated 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which also underpins the EV4 and other Kia global EVs. The Korean brand could utilized the low-cost version of the E-GMP or could convert the existing ICE platform to adopt an electric battery. Kia is also developing the Carens based electric MPV, which will be based on the same platform that underpins the Creta Electric. 

Kia could also use the K1 platform that underpins the Hyundai Inster EV on sale in international markets. In fact, Hyundai is also planning to introduce a new micro EV based on the Inster in India. Not just platform, the Kia EV1 could use the same 42kWh and 49kWh battery packs with the Inster EV. 

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