Ray EV comes back with a half-price tag, doubles driving range

Kia's mini Ray EV returns from a five-year break at half its previous price but with double the driving range.

The Ray EV, the first in five years [KIA]

Kia's mini Ray EV returns from a five-year break at half its previous price but with double the driving range.

The Korean automaker will begin accepting orders for the mini car Thursday, with the official launch set for Sept. 12 in Korea. The overseas launch date has not been set yet.

The comeback comes five years after the Ray EV was first released in the domestic market as Korea's first mass-produced EV in Dec. 2011. The model was discontinued in 2018 due to the short driving range and the country's lack of charging infrastructure.

Equipped with a 35.2-kilowatt hour lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery developed by China's CATL, the new Ray can travel up to 233 kilometers (144 miles) on a single charge.

Using a fast charger, the Ray can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 40 minutes. Using a regular charger, it can be fully charged in six hours.

Interior of the Ray EV [KIA]

Its maximum horsepower improved by 15 percent from the gasoline-powered model to 87 horsepower.

The first entry-level small vehicle in Korea also comes with an electronic parking brake. It also comes equipped with an auto-hold system, which assists drivers who frequently face stop-and-go traffic by controlling the brakes.

The sticker price begins at 27.4 million won ($20,500), about half of the previous version which cost 45 million won. Accounting for the government's EV tax credit, the car could be purchased for as low as 20 million won.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]