Kia has been one of the top automakers to adopt electrification in its portfolio. At a point where other manufacturers would probably focus on stabilizing the sales of their present electrified models, Kia is relentlessly working towards increasing its fleet of plug-in hybrid models to counter CO2 emission regulations all across the globe. This is what commitment looks like: competition!

Kia Wants To Have A Fully-Electrified Lineup Soon

As per a report from Autocar, Kia will launch a plug-in hybrid version of the latest Ceed by next year as part of its move to limit CO2 emissions. It will come with an 8.4 kWh battery pack. According to Artur Martins, Kia Europe’s marketing chief, this plug-in hybrid powertrain will be first used in the Ceed Sportswagon, and if successful, will then be used in other Ceed body styles.

There’s More To Come

Before the launch of the Ceed plug-ins, the South Korean automaker will reveal the next-gen Soul EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. The new Soul will be the only available model in the refreshed Soul family, and it’ll be sold with two battery pack options - either a 34 kWh or a 60 kWh battery as seen in the e-Niro. The 60 kWh battery pack will give the new Soul a range of 300 miles.

It doesn’t end here. “We are going to need more electrification on other products in the future. We must get to a mix of around 25-30% electrified models to hit the CO2 targets,” Martins said. Apart from all this, Kia is working on a hydrogen fuel-cell model. This model will be to Kia what the Nexo is to Hyundai. As for the looks, it’s expected to take the shape of a tweaked Kia Sorento.

Final Thoughts

Should Kia focus on increasing the sales of its current electric vehicle portfolio, or should it continue this rampage of electrifying almost all the products in its lineup? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Kia Ceed.

Read our full review on the 2018 Kia Sportage.

Read our full review on the 2019 Kia e-Niro.