Kia has teased Concept EV9 which previews the firms new forthcoming electric SUV.

Kia, like many car manufacturers, is going electric. Earlier this year, Kia revealed its first battery-electric EV6.

Considering how popular SUVs have become, Kia is expected to introduce an all-electric SUV and the Concept EV9 you see here hints at what Kia envisions for a production EV9 SUV.

The teaser images of the Concept EV9 show a bold, wide and angular design that projects a futuristic look. Kia says, “Following the launch of EV6, the Kia Concept EV9 is an intriguing glimpse into the future direction of the all-electric SUV, combining progressive design, state-of-the-art tech, and an advanced all-electric powertrain in one pioneering package.”

The interior rendering further show a clean, uncluttered design that’s “been honed to give the driver and passengers a light, flexible and adaptive interior space as the experience of the journey evolves”, says Kia.

The cabin also features an ultra-wide interactive display as well as an interesting new steering wheel design.

The Concept EV9 will make its official debut at AutoMobility LA on 17 November 2021 where further details will be revealed.

Kia Commits to Sustainability

Kia plans to be carbon neutral by 2045.

This week, Kia announced its commitment to becoming a ‘Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider’. As such, the firm aims to become fully carbon neutral by 2045.

Kia’s carbon-neutral goal is underpinned by 3 main pillars including ‘Sustainable Mobility’, ‘Sustainable Planet’ and ‘Sustainable Energy’. These pillars will guide the brand’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions across its operations including supply, logistics, vehicle production and waste disposal.

By 2045, Kia hopes to reduce its carbon emissions by 97% and will implement additional measures to fully offset the remaining carbon emissions.

In 2020, Kia announced its Plan S strategy which outlined the brand’s journey towards becoming a leader in the Electric Vehicle market. With a significant investment of $25-billion, Kia is planning to introduce up to 11 new EVs by 2025 and with 7 new Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs) due in 2027. More so, Kia will also introduce its first Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicle (FCEV) in 2028 to complement its BEV lineup. Kia says it will accelerate its Plan S strategy to meet its goals.

By 2035, Kia is expected to be fully electric in Europe with other global markets to follow by 2040.

Kia will also work with its suppliers to reduce emissions and will launch a carbon emissions monitoring system in 2022 which will provide data-driven solutions to its partner companies. Kia will focus on using ‘green steel’ as the steel industry remains a major contributor to global carbon emissions.

Furthermore, Kia is also committing to preserving the natural environment with a focus on marine ecosystems.

Kia will launch a ‘Blue Carbon’ project that will aim to restore and preserve Korea’s coastal wetlands in an effort to boost its blue carbon (carbon absorbed and stored in seaweed and mudflats effectively diminishing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere).

Kia has also partnered with ‘The Ocean Cleanup’ to develop a resource circulation system whereby Kia will supply materials needed to build the Interceptors that collect plastic in river systems. Kia will then use the plastic waste for materials in its vehicle production with a planned plastic re-use increase of 20% by 2030. Increased recycling during the vehicle disposal stage will also be implemented and pilot projects for second-life battery energy storage systems (SLBESS) will take place with external partners from 2022.

By 2030, Kia’s overseas production facilities are expected to run on renewable electricity and by 2040, Kia’s domestic production sites will follow. Kia’s site in Slovakia already runs on 100% green electricity. To do this Kia will look to the sun and implement vast solar arrays in Korea, the US, China and India while also using hydrogen fuel cell technology in the manufacturing process. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 1% per annum through the implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage CCUS) technology. Finally, Kia’s company fleet vehicles will all be BEVs or FCEVs by 2030.

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