The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Kia to launch plug-in hybrids as part of electrification drive
Korean car giant Kia has announced plans to release 11 fully electric models by 2025 as part of a strategy to electrify most of its range.
It is part of a programme the company calls Plan S, which will see Kia sell more than one million eco-friendly vehicles a year by the middle of the decade.
“Plan S is a bold and enterprising roadmap for Kia’s future business transition, buttressed by the two pillars of electric vehicles and mobility solutions,” said Kia Motors president and CEO Han-woo Park.
“Our approach is to put customers first, and Kia will reinvigorate its brand innovation by developing products and services that offer new experiences for customers.”
The manufacturer says it will launch a fully electric car next year that will have a range of 311 miles.
More immediately, Kia is launching plug-in hybrid versions of two of their most popular cars that are on sale now.
Order books for the Kia Xceed and Xceed Sportswagon opened this week.
Both models pair a 1.6 litre petrol engine with a battery pack and electric motor. That gives the car a combined 139bhp and 195lb ft of torque, which is delivered through a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Fully charged, both models are capable of up to 37 miles on battery power only, Kia says.
This will be enough for many owners to get to work, charge up during the day, and get home again without starting the internal combustion engine.
Both cars have been given design tweaks to stand out from their petrol and diesel counterparts.
The grille is closed rather than vented, there are Eco-plug-in badges and – of course – a charging port to connect the car to the mains. Both the Kia Xceed and Ceed Sportswagon PHEVS are now on sale, with the Kia Xceed PHEV available in 3 or First Edition trim from £30,695 and the Ceed Sportswagon PHEV only in 3 trim from £29,995.