Kia’s venture into the electric vehicle (EV) space began earlier than many realize, with its first production EV, the Ray EV, launching in 2011. Designed to comply with South Korea’s “light car” category for tax incentives, the original Ray EV faced challenges due to its short driving range and lack of charging infrastructure in the country.
Last summer, Kia unveiled a second facelift for the Ray EV and has now launched the updated model in its home market. The new Ray EV features significant powertrain upgrades, including a larger 35.2-kilowatt-hour LFP battery (compared to the previous 16.4 kWh) and a more powerful electric motor. This boosts the estimated driving range to 127 miles (205 kilometers) on a single charge, up from 86 miles (138 km) in the previous version.
The new electric motor delivers 64 kilowatts (86 horsepower) and 108 pound-feet of torque. Charging times are also improved, with a 40-minute time for 10-80% charge using a 150 kW DC fast charger and a 6-hour time for 10-100% charge using a 7 kW charger.
Kia is starting pre-orders for the Ray EV in late August, with an official launch planned for September. The facelifted Ray EV is priced around $20,800 in South Korea, making it an affordable option. Kia also plans to introduce a single-seater van version of the EV for self-employed individuals and small business owners.
Industry sources suggest that the Ray EV could revitalize South Korea’s small EV and minicar market, potentially following the success of the Nissan Sakura electric kei car in Japan.