New compact electric car “The Kia Ray EV” released in Korea

“The Kia Ray EV.” [Courtesy of Kia]

Kia Corp. on Thursday announced the release of its new electric vehicle (EV) model, “The Kia Ray EV,” further expanding its electric car lineup.

The Kia Ray EV boasts a range of features that make it an appealing choice for eco-conscious drivers. Equipped with a 35.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and an aerodynamic battery undercover, the car achieves an impressive single charge driving range of 205 km under mixed driving conditions and 233 km in urban driving scenarios. The combined energy efficiency comes in at 5.1 km per kWh based on 14-inch tires.

In terms of charging, the vehicle is equipped to handle both rapid and regular charging needs. With a 150-kW rapid charger, it can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent of battery capacity in just 40 minutes. For full charging using a 7-kW regular charger, it takes about 6 hours to go from 10 percent to 100 percent battery capacity.

The Kia Ray EV is powered by an electric motor that offers a maximum power output of 64.3 kW (about 87 hp) and a peak torque of 147 Nm, surpassing the gasoline model with a maximum power output of 76 hp and a peak torque of 9.7 kgf·m (about 95.1 Nm).

For added convenience and utility, Kia has incorporated features like “Auto Hold” for better performance during stop-and-go traffic, “Full Flat” seats for flexibility in configuring the interior space, and a “Utility Mode” that allows the use of electric devices such as air conditioning and audio even when the vehicle is not in motion.

The new compact EV is an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers thanks to government incentives and EV subsidies. In Seoul, for instance, it can be purchased in the low to mid-20 million won ($15,000) range when factoring in EV subsidies.

Kia opened pre-orders for the Ray EV from August 24 to September 20, and the response has been outstanding with over 6,000 pre-orders, surpassing its sales target of 4,000 units for 2023.

“The Kia Ray EV is designed as an eco-friendly urban entry-level EV, offering a rational means of transportation for customers looking to reflect environmental values,” a company spokesperson said.