Every manufacturer in the game has dealt with the demand for electric a bit differently. We are going to be excited to watch how our beloved brand will shape itself during the days to come for demand in the St Louis area, as many will be lured by the potential of completely ditching stops at the gas pump. Kia's version will reportedly be equipped with a 50 kW battery pack, which could bring overall range close to 200 miles with a single charge. Overall production numbers are said to be around 21,000 for the Niro EV, a modest release to test the very futuristic waters with.
The Niro EV is slated to use the same electric motor as the Hyundai IONIQ electric, and a 28 kWh lithium-ion battery. The plug-in uses a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder paired to a permanent-magnet AC electric generator, and the model has been altered quite a bit over the last year. Despite a slower-than-expected start, the idea of plug-in cars is gaining momentum within the North American market segment. According to a survey during 2017 by AAA, the interest that shoppers have in electric cars is now nearly tied to the number of those interested in pickup trucks. 15 percent of those surveyed expressed interest in an electric car, and 16 percent had the desire to purchase a pickup.
The launch of the 238-mile Chevy Bolt EV admittedly had quite a tangible impact on the entire electric market, as competitors such as Hyundai and Kia observed from a distance the good and not-so-good aspects of electric cars in general. The efficiency of the batteries themselves is what is going to really change the face of the entire industry, and when this factor collides in a positive way with lower pricing, many consumers will express interest that may have not before. Even though electric cars have not quite disrupted the market in the way that some predicted they would, many think that the severe “bolt” (tiny pun intended) that shakes everything up may be about two years down the road.
Fans of NASCAR are always going to want to hear the roar of “real engines”, and we also wholeheartedly agree that pickup truck owners are another demographic that will in no way be won over easily. There are tons of benefits of a gas-powered auto, but many have been buying into the hybrid game as well, with crossover SUV's exploding in popularity over the last three years. Some experts say it's not a matter of if, but when, diehards that would never want an electric car will suddenly change their mind. As our world changes drastically every day, drivers are going to be looking for ways to make sure they are benefiting the planet, and not continuing to drain resources at an alarming rate. Kia promises to be front and center on electric developments, and the next few years are going to set the stage for a vital and flourishing future.
