Kia started accepting pre-orders for the latest electric version of its affordable compact Ray on Thursday. Priced at around W20 million, it can travel approximately 200 km on a single charge. (US$1=W1,340).
A notable feature is that it is equipped with LFP batteries by China’s CATL, which is cheaper than the NCM batteries primarily produced by Korean battery makers, making the car even more affordable.
The exterior design is largely similar to its internal combustion engine version, but it has a battery which takes just 40 minutes to recharge from 10 percent to 80 percent and can travel up to 205 km on a single charge.
The Ray’s electric version was initially launched in 2012, but several years later it was discontinued amid poor sales, because its single-charge range was just 90 km, despite its high price tag of W45 million.
There are very few electric vehicles priced below W30 million in the market here, so the new Ray could attract consumers who have been hesitant to buy EVs, which still carry high price tags.
