[Kia Niro News]

Kia’s Niro hybrid has just been launched in Europe and the United States and the automaker is already thinking of producing an all-electric variant.

At the opening of a new dealership in London, Kia Motors’ chief operating officer, Tae-Hyun Oh, told UK's Car Dealer magazine that they are considering an all-electric Niro. In an effort to meet stricter local emission regulations, Kia is “looking at a feasibility study to develop a Niro which is electric.” Kia already has plans to offer the Niro as a plug-in hybrid, taking into account what parent company Hyundai has done with the Ioniq, Kia may want to try the three pronged attack with the Niro too.

Sourcing batteries for a Niro EV won’t be a problem as the automaker is already using LG Chem’s batteries. Currently, one of the more high profile uses of LG’s batteries is in the upcoming Chevy Bolt which has an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range per full charge. A similar range could appear in the Niro EV if it ever goes into production.

Kia wants to increase their lineup of alternatively-fueled vehicles and Tae-Hyun Oh reiterated the company’s future plans. “We are looking at all the possibilities, because we have launched a hybrid, followed by a plug-in hybrid, and we’ve already launched an electric vehicle. So in the coming years we are prepared to launch a fuel cell. In this sense I think we are at a good stage to cover everything in the sector.”

The possibility of Kia producing a Niro EV is high, but we won’t really know until the automaker makes an official announcement.

 

[Broncos]

I don't see why not. It's only a matter of time until they get around to it and I'm hoping sooner rather than later. It's just the way things are trending and because of the Ioniq it shouldn't be that difficult to make things transferable.

 

[KiaKrazy]

This is definitely a big shift in the industry that's occurring so it's inevitable. If they keep the model, there will be an all electric variant. Because why not. But they'll have to push for a bit more than what the bolt is producing in terms of range. Just to make it that much more appealing. Bigger space, bigger range, better looking, the only thing left is price.

 

[Alex]

At this point its given, they already have the tech to work with and have a foundation to work off of, just look to the Soul EV and you will find that foundation.

Only thing is now to see how it will differentiate in terms of power since the Niro is a bigger vehicle.

I just hope what we get is a PHEV, all for the sake of practicality with the current state of things.

 

[Broncos]

The PHEV will pretty much give you everything you need. You'll have the performance and the fuel economy to back it up. Don't have to worry about battery charge range anxiety either.

 

[Neuron]

The NIro already has great aerodynamics which should reduce power consumption, Kia just needs to figure out how many batteries they can squeeze in there to make it a viable option for long drives.

 

[Broncos]

For the EV, I'm sure they'll be locking off that grill completely so it'll be better for reducing drag. For the PHEV it should be alright as it is. The battery size will be interesting to see, wonder how much room it'll take up and how much it'll all weigh after.

 

[DalTXJim]

Kia recently sent me a survey on the Niro that was quite lengthy and involved. Many questions about a plug in model, AWD, and price points.

 

[Alex]

Kia recently sent me a survey on the Niro that was quite lengthy and involved. Many questions about a plug in model, AWD, and price points.

Do you still have access to the survey? If they didn't ask you to keep it private, then sharing it here would be great. Getting in their minds but sort of questions asked seeing what they're trying to probe from us is what I want!

Thanks in advance.

 

[DalTXJim]

Alex: The survey was very detailed and mostly about what options you would be interested in and also multiple price points with "would you buy at this price". It got to be a bit ridiculous after a while, as they would ask a question one way, then ask it a different way, with varying price points. One thing I wish I would have tried to copy were some of the photos. There was one with a tan interior (similar to the 2017 Sportage tan interior). Don't know if that may be a future option, but in my book, I'm getting tired of black or grey as the only options, and Niro seems to be going right along with that for now. If it weren't for the gas mileage, I would have already been in a Sportage, just because of the gorgeous tan interior. I'm just remembering also, many questions revolved around AWD.