Demand for Kia’s first fully electric vehicle is “strong” according to a spokesperson for Kia New Zealand. But, whether it will be able to fulfil that demand remains to be seen.
Kia Australia has confirmed that it expects to deliver 500 EV6s in Australia this year. With a total of 1200 orders reportedly on the books, it’s been reported that the model is effectively ‘sold out’ for the next two years over the ditch.
A Kia New Zealand spokesperson didn’t confirm or deny whether it would be the same story for local customers.
“Here in NZ we have enjoyed strong enquiry via the EV6 registration of interest page, there is significant excitement and anticipation for the new model,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson stopped short of stating how many EV6 models are bound for New Zealand, or whether dealers would be subject to the same supply shortages as dealers over the ditch.
“The number of vehicles bound for NZ is not something we are prepared to disclose,” the spokesperson added.
“But based on the pent up demand we have high expectations it is going to be a very popular addition to our model portfolio.”
The EV6 is the jewel in the crown of Kia’s ‘Plan S’ programme; a local market incentive designed to platform Kia’s next generation of electrified vehicles and mobility solutions.
It’s expected the EV6 will eventually be joined by the new Niro, and the recently detailed Sportage plug-in hybrid. Although neither model has been formally confirmed for local launch just yet.
The EV6’s local spec details were announced last month. It will be offered in four different models, featuring two different battery options and the choice of either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The range starts with the RWD EV6 Air, which comes with a 58.0kWh battery pack and an expected range of over 350km per charge.
The rest of the line-up comes with a larger 77.4kWh battery, with range topping out at 528km in the RWD Air Long Range. The remaining pair of models, the AWD Earth and AWD GT-Line, have a claimed range of 506km each.
