Kia's new hybrid tech to challenge the likes of the 2025 Nissan Qashqai e-Power, Leapmotor C10 and Deepal S05

Kia has used its latest CEO Investor Day to announce a range of next-generation powertrain and new model initiatives designed to build the Korean giant’s global EV market share growth.

And a key plank in its plan is investment in Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) systems, incorporating “advanced battery technology (that) will enhance energy density and cold-weather performance”.

This engineering initiative also aims to deliver “an improved power electronics system to improve charging speed, safety, and durability”.

EREVs operate primarily as electric vehicles, with an internal-combustion engine on-board purely to recharge the drive battery on demand.

There is no connection between the engine and the drive wheels, the set-up delivering a vastly extended range without relying on external charging infrastructure. It also reduces complexity and weight with no parallel drive components required.

This configuration is proving increasingly popular as a bridge between internal-combustion and pure-electric propulsion. Nissan’s X-Trail e-Power has been on sale in Australia since early 2023 and it was joined by the Qashqai e-Power just over 12 months ago.

The just-released Leapmotor C10 EV SUV is available in other markets in EREV and is a possible for Australia, as is an EREV version of the Deepal’s soon-to-arrive S05 small SUV.

And Ford’s global CEO Jim Farley is a high-profile advocate, pushing the Blue Oval to develop EREVs as a solution for larger vehicles, particularly in North America. 

Kia says it will diversify its hybrid line-up across all segments “from compact to full-size models, including vehicles such as the Seltos and Telluride SUVs”.

And its EREV adoption comes as part of the brand’s updated ‘Plan S’ strategy aimed at achieving global sales of 4.19 million units by 2030.

In response to growing hybrid demand, the company expects to increase hybrid sales to nearly one million units by 2030 – double the 490,000 units expected in 2025.

Speaking at the Investor Day event, held overnight in Seoul, Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song said, “Since launching the Kia Transformation strategy in 2021, Kia has continuously progressed to become a provider of sustainable mobility solutions that innovate space and enable customers to make better use of their time beyond conventional means of transportation”.

"We will continue to develop the brand by implementing mid-to-long-term strategies to strengthen our internal stability and respond effectively to changes in the auto industry," he said.

The plan includes expansion into development of Purpose Built Vehicles (specialised light commercials) and pick-up trucks over and above the soon-to-arrive Tasman ute.

Kia says it will maintain flexibility by producing its entire line-up – ICE vehicles, hybrids, and EVs – at 13 existing manufacturing facilities worldwide while enhancing production efficiency with two dedicated EV plants.

To “optimize its supply chain” Kia also says it will expand EV production in key regions. South Korea will serve as the global hub for EV development and production, North America will focus on mid-to-large SUVs, Europe on compact SUVs and hatchbacks and India on locally targeted compact SUVs.