Auto Express

Kia outlines long-term electric van production strategy


Kia has announced plans to set up a new production site for a range of vehicles electric truckas part of a broader plan to launch a range of battery-powered vehicles by 2030.

Building on the company’s “Plan S” business strategy, which has seen the company commit to launching no less than 11 all-electric passenger cars worldwide by 2027, That will begin construction of a new plant for what it describes as a “Purpose Built Vehicle,” or PBV, in the summer of 2023. The new plant is expected to be completed by at the earliest. 2026 and is initially capable of producing around 100,000 PBV per year.

The first vehicle to roll off the production line of the new plant will be a mid-size car, currently known only by the project name “SW”. However, Kia has clearly timed its Plan S strategy in March 2022, which will be available in a variety of body styles, allowing the PBV to fulfill its role as a truck. delivery or a passenger shuttle vehicle.

As explained by Kia CEO Ho Sung Song at the Plan S strategy announcement, the company is also interested in launching a self-driving robotaxi version of the SW PBV. No official release window for this SW derivative has been revealed yet, although Kia has hinted that this robotaxi model will have level 4 autonomy – meaning there will still be physical controls. pedals and steering wheel inside, but the car will be able to drive itself in a controlled area without human intervention.

ev vans

Kia’s PBV plan goes beyond mid-size commercial vehicles to launch in 2025. Using the same ‘skateboard’ technology that underpins the SW, Kia plans to launch a range of specialized electric vehicles. used in a variety of shapes and sizes. These vehicles will range from small driverless delivery vehicles to larger passenger shuttles, Kia claims, and the PBV will be large enough to be used as a mobile shop and office space. .

These electric PBV plans complement the already comprehensive line of electric passenger cars that Kia plans to launch in a similar time frame. Consists of Kia EV6 Electric crossover is currently on sale in the UK, Kia will launch 14 tram worldwide by 2027. Of that total, seven of them will be exclusively electricity, such as Kia EV9 The full-size SUV will launch in 2023, with the remaining total including electric vehicles derived from models powered by internal combustion engines such as New second generation Kia Niro EV.

Find more van stories on commercial vehicle center page…



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button