Get ready to see a lot more Kia electric vehicles on the road! Kia’s electric SUVs are rapidly gaining popularity, and leading the charge is the new EV3. In fact, the EV3 has become the UK’s best-selling retail electric vehicle so far this year, powering Kia to its best sales start in the 34 years it’s been operating in the UK.
And it’s not just a local success story. Globally, Kia just celebrated its best first quarter ever, marking a historic high since the company began selling cars way back in 1962!
The UK market is proving particularly receptive to Kia’s electric and electrified offerings. Consider the stats from March:
– Kia was the fourth best-selling car brand overall.
– Crucially, it ranked second for sales of electrified vehicles (EVs, PHEVs, HEVs), which represented a majority – over 55% – of its UK sales.
– Pure electric vehicles alone, led by models like the EV3, EV6, EV9, and Niro EV, made up 21% of March sales.
While the whole range is contributing, the Kia EV3 compact SUV has been a standout star since its launch. It shot to the top of the UK’s retail EV sales charts in January and held that position throughout the first quarter.
The EV3 held its position as the best-selling EV within the retail market in the UK, and placed as the fourth best-selling EV in the UK overall.
Kia’s EV sales, driven by the EV3, EV6 and EV9, totalled more than 7,000 in Q1, giving Kia a 5.9% share of the UK’s electric vehicle market, and overall EV sales were up 47% compared to the same period in 2024.
With a starting price around £33,005 and range options up to 375 miles (603 km) (WLTP), the EV3 is hitting a sweet spot for affordability and practicality.
This record-breaking performance feels like just the warm-up lap. Kia is doubling down on electrification with several key launches planned for the UK this year:
– The EV4: Kia’s first electric sedan and hatchback.
– The EV5: Another versatile electric SUV joining the family.
– The PV5: The brand’s new electric van, with first deliveries expected before 2026.
From record global sales to chart-topping EVs in key markets like the UK, Kia’s electric strategy is clearly paying off. With even more models arriving soon, expect Kia’s electric momentum to keep accelerating.
