Starting at about $20,000, the Picanto is Kia’s most affordable new car in Europe, the UK, and several other global markets. The entry-level gas car is likely on its way out as part of the shift to electrification, but Kia has a new EV that will replace it. more…
The electrification of the automotive industry is accelerating, driven by regulatory pressures, consumer demand, and technological advancements in EV cost and performance.
This move by Kia signals the ongoing, systematic phasing out of internal combustion engine economy cars in favor of electric vehicles, even at the affordable end of the market.
The entry-level vehicle market is transitioning from gasoline to electric, impacting affordability, infrastructure needs, and the overall carbon footprint of personal transport.
- · EV manufacturers
- · Battery suppliers
- · Charging infrastructure companies
- · Consumers seeking budget EVs
- · Internal combustion engine component suppliers
- · Oil and gas industry (long-term)
- · Traditional auto repair shops
Kia's European and UK markets will see a new entry-level EV replace its cheapest gas car.
This shift will further incentivize the development and deployment of more affordable EV models across the entire automotive industry.
The increased availability of budget EVs could accelerate infrastructure build-out and contribute significantly to decarbonization targets, potentially placing new strains on electrical grids.
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Read at Electrek