Kia electric cars

Why you should drive a Kia electric car

South Korean manufacturer Kia is not shying away from the EV scene. Since debuting its first electric car more than ten years ago with the Ray, Kia’s EVs have gone from strength to strength.

There are now several Kia electric cars available in the UK, including the e-Niro, the Soul, and the EV6 – and Kia has pledged to launch seven new EV models by the end of 2027.

So, what exactly makes Kia such a great EV manufacturer, and why should they be high on your list when looking for an electric car?

Our range of Kia electric cars

Why driving an EV is great

There are plenty of reasons why driving an electric car is great, and benefits not only you as the driver, but also the environment.

While Kia produces great petrol and diesel cars, the benefits of an EV mean they’re the perfect choice for drivers looking to make the switch to electric:

• There are far fewer moving parts in an EV, which means maintaining them is cheaper and there’s less that can potentially go wrong
• Charging an EV is quick and simple – by using a rapid charge point, you can charge your EV’s battery to 80% in as little as 20 minutes
• EVs are far kinder to the environment, and by using green energy to charge the battery they can be completely carbon neutral after manufacture
• Compared to petrol and diesel, the cost of charging an EV is considerably cheaper than a tank of fuel

Why Kia produces excellent EVs

There’s no denying that Kia is establishing itself as a powerhouse in the EV space. In fact, in October 2021, there were more Kia electric cars registered in the UK than any other manufacturer.

So what is it about Kia EVs that makes them so appealing to drivers? While they don’t have the notoriety of a Tesla or the luxury status of a Mercedes, there are plenty of benefits that make them a safe, reliable, and cost-effective option.

They’re cheap to drive

It’s relatively common knowledge that EVs are far cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. However, according to Kia’s own eco brochure, it costs just seven pence per mile to charge one of their EVs.

They have great range

Kia EV drivers rarely suffer from range anxiety – the EV6 has an incredible range of up to 328 miles. Other Kia models shouldn’t be sniffed at either – the e-Niro has a 282-mile range, with the Soul close behind at 280 miles.

They’re practical

Kia’s make for great, practical family cars, and provide plenty of room inside with a spacious boot.

They have a front charge port

Not a fan of constantly having to reverse into parking bays to make sure you can charge your EV’s battery? No problem – the e-Niro and Soul have charge ports located at the front.

They’re loaded with tech

Kia’s come packed with plenty of tech as standard, such as smart park assist, seven-inch colour display, voice control, and a trip computer.

Kia e-Niro – interior & exterior

Image source: carbuyer.co.uk

Kia EV Awards

To further confirm Kia’s place as a reliable car maker, Kia recently received two awards at the 2023 What Car? Car of the Year Awards ceremony, with the Kia Sportage named “Best Family SUV” by the judges and the Kia EV9 receiving the “Readers’ Choice” award. The latest version of the Sportage was launched in early 2022 and has been popular with drivers and motoring experts as the ideal family car due to its competitive pricing, standard equipment, and overall completeness. Meanwhile, the Kia EV9, which is set to launch in the UK in the latter half of 2023, won the Readers’ Choice award with more than twice as many votes as the second-placed car. The EV9 is the latest addition to Kia’s Plan S strategy of leading the electric car market, which includes the multi-award-winning EV6 and the all-new Niro EV.

What Car? said: “We asked our readers to name the upcoming model that they’re most excited about from a 14-car shortlist, with each of the contenders given equal promotion via our website and social media channels. But despite this, the Kia EV9 emerged victorious after attracting more than twice as many votes as the second-placed car. “This is the second time in three years that Kia has won this award, with the EV6 taking top spot in 2021. If the EV9 turns out to be as good as that car, it will be truly special.”

Kia EVs on subscription

While the cost of buying an Kia EV is reasonable, it still requires a large deposit, which can prevent eager drivers from taking home a Kia of their own.

However, an alternative to buying is a Kia subscription through elmo.

An elmo electric car subscription includes insurance, service, MOT, and breakdown cover costs, meaning driving a Kia EV of your own is more affordable than ever.

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