This site provides content using AI translation.
Kia's Ray EV: The Little Electric Car That Could
Editor
2025-05-07 15:55:02

Kia Extract

Despite a stagnation in the electric vehicle market, demand for affordable electric cars continues to grow. Kia's compact electric vehicle, the Ray EV, which launched last year, has gained traction and is driving the popularization of electric vehicles. Recently, the Hyundai Casper Electric joined the market, although it is categorized as a small car rather than a compact one.

Kia Extract

From September of last year to August of this year, the total registration of new Ray EVs reached over 12,000 units. This accounts for 23.7% of all Ray sales. In other words, the Ray EV recorded an average monthly sales figure of over 1,000 units, indicating that it has carved out a significant niche in the affordable electric vehicle market.

Kia Extract

In the same period, the Tesla Model Y topped the domestic electric vehicle rankings with over 24,000 units sold, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 followed with 14,000 units, placing the Ray EV in third place. The Ray EV features a 35.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a combined range of 127 miles and an urban range of 145 miles on a single charge, thanks to its battery cover design.

Kia Extract

The popularity of the Ray EV stems from its dual benefits as a compact car and an electric vehicle. It offers price competitiveness and marketability as an urban entry-level electric vehicle. Classified as a compact electric car, it qualifies for exemptions from individual consumption tax, education tax, and acquisition tax, and allows for VAT refunds for individual and corporate business owners.

Kia Extract

The main reasons for choosing the Ray EV include its spaciousness and practicality. Kia operates a variety of trims, providing an extensive lineup. Recently, they launched the more refined 2025 Ray, which has begun full-scale sales and is generating significant anticipation.

Kia Extract

The updated Ray EV features an expanded range of safety and convenience specifications that align with customer preferences, enhancing its marketability. Kia has included the Drive Wise I package, featuring front collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, and cruise control, as standard across all new Ray electric vehicle models. Additionally, the new model comes with a heated leather steering wheel with black high-gloss garnish, providing added value.

Kia Extract

The updated Ray EV's air trim includes the Drive Wise II package, which features rear blind spot collision warning, rear blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, and safe exit warning, as well as a style package incorporating projection headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED rear combination lamps, and LED auxiliary brake lights. This enhances safety specifications and improves overall design quality.

Kia Extract

Kia has decided to significantly enhance the base marketability of the new Ray EV while maintaining the prices across all trims. This effectively results in a price reduction, boosting its market competitiveness. It seems they aim to strengthen their market share by enhancing competitiveness in the lower tier of the EV3 segment.

Kia Extract

The selling prices for the updated Ray EV remain the same as the previous model, with the four-seater passenger model priced at 27,750,000 KRW (approximately $21,000 USD) for the Light trim and 29,550,000 KRW (approximately $22,600 USD) for the Air trim. The two-seater van Light is priced at 27,450,000 KRW (approximately $20,900 USD) and 27,950,000 KRW (approximately $21,500 USD) for the Air trim. The one-seater van Light is available for 27,350,000 KRW (approximately $20,800 USD) and 27,800,000 KRW (approximately $21,400 USD) for the Air trim. Kia also offers new exterior colors and customization options.

Kia Extract

Kia is considering launching an electric version of its smallest compact car, the Morning, to expand its presence in the electric vehicle market. During the new EV3 test drive event, Kia stated that a new electric city car to replace the Morning is their next goal. They plan to develop an electric city car priced between 20,220,000 KRW (approximately $15,500 USD) and 29,000,000 KRW (approximately $22,000 USD), which they acknowledge is a very challenging task.

Kia Extract

Go to the list