Kia has sold its 100,000th electric vehicle in the UK, becoming one of the first brands, and the first Korean brand, to surpass this milestone. The 100,000th EV sold by Kia in the UK is an EV5 ‘GT-Line S’ in Iceberg Green, registered to a retail customer on 11 March 2026. The sales milestone was achieved in the same month in which 29% of Kia UK registrations were fully electric – the brand’s best-ever performance.
Kia’s journey to 100,000 EV sales started in November 2014, when first examples of the first-generation Soul EV went on sale in the UK. As of 1 April 2026, Kia has sold 104,794 EVs in the UK. A full breakdown of Kia’s EV sales timeline by year and model can be found at the foot of this press release.
2025 was a monumental year for Kia in the UK, launching no fewer than nine new models in the UK, including the Kia EV4, EV5 and PV5. Including the upcoming EV2, this now means that Kia has seven dedicated EVx/PVx nameplates on sale in the UK. The next dedicated all-new electric model to join Kia’s line-up will be the EV2, followed by the PV7, arriving in 2027.
When accounting for all bodystyles, as well as high-performance ‘GT’ variants of the Kia EV6 and EV9, Kia offers a total of 11 different EVs in the UK market [1] – one of the largest EV offerings of any brand. Kia’s EV line-up now spans almost every single different vehicle segment, including urban-focused SUVs, family hatchbacks, seven-seat SUVs and Light Commercial Vehicles.
Even with increased emphasis on EV models in recent years, Kia has continued to welcome new petrol and hybrid-powered offerings to the same vast array of segments. Last year, Kia launched the all-new K4, a petrol-powered hatchback, alongside the EV4; and the facelifted fifth-generation Sportage, alongside the EV5, to UK customers. The Kia range will expand again later this year with the Seltos – a new petrol-hybrid SUV, which will grow Kia UK’s total offering to 15 models[2].
Paul Philpott, President and CEO, Kia UK: “The milestone of reaching 100,000 EV sales is a significant landmark for Kia UK, having launched our first EV 12 years ago this year. In a relatively short space of time, we have gone from strength to strength steadily building our EV line-up, and have seen customer demand increase in line with our product desirability.
“The mainstream adoption of EVs, and the transition to focus heavily on electric mobility poses challenges, but also presents opportunity, and we have spent a great deal of time and resources investing in EVs. We now have one of the industry’s most complete EV line-ups and have reached this landmark achievement, further cementing ourselves as a leading player in the EV market.
“This achievement is a further credit to our 190-strong nationwide dealer network. Their ability to adapt over the past decade to an increased demand for EVs, alongside our range of internal combustion and hybrid vehicles, has been the foundation for our success and has pushed us to this significant sales success and milestone. With the recent addition of electric commercial vehicles to our product offering, the future for Kia is very exciting.”
Kia UK’s journey to 100,000 EV sales
2014-2017
In November 2014, Kia opened order books for its first ever EV offered in the UK, the Soul EV. Based on the existing Soul model, the Soul EV combined an electric powertrain and 27.0kWh battery pack with the familiar boxy, bold and practical bodystyle seen on its petrol- and diesel-powered counterpart. At the time, it offered a class-leading range of up to 132 miles on a single charge.
Kia didn’t pursue lofty sales ambitions for the Soul EV in its first year, expecting to sell between 100 and 200 units of its new EV in its first full year of sales. The car was imported in limited quantities as Kia found its feet in the market, with only 13 specially trained UK dealers offering the car. This grew to 19 dealers in January 2015.
Throughout 2016, the Soul EV continued as Kia’s only EV in the UK, with sales steadily increasing. The model received a mild upgrade in 2017 with increased battery capacity and range.
In 2016, Kia also launched the Niro hybrid in the UK, which would later become available with an EV powertrain, pushing Kia’s EV momentum firmly forward.
2018-2020
2018, 2019 and 2020 were important years for Kia in the UK, as the brand unveiled the e-Niro, its second EV, in December 2018. Built on the existing Niro platform, the e-Niro set new standards as an affordable, desirable family EV. It was an instant hit with UK customers.
Before e-Niro went on sale to UK buyers, Kia unveiled the new Soul EV at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2019. The new Soul EV wasn’t just a more practical and modern-looking proposition; it also introduced a dramatically improved EV powertrain, with a 64.0kWh battery pack providing a significant greater driving range. Alongside the new Soul EV, Kia also showcased the ‘Imagine by Kia’ Concept – hinting heavily at Kia’s future ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy.
In April 2019, the e-Niro officially went on sale in the UK, the brand’s second major EV. It offered a 282-mile range on a single charge, packaged into the existing Niro family platform – meaning plenty of space for passengers and cargo, and a smooth, refined driving character.
In January 2020, Kia published its global mid- to long-term ‘Plan S’ business strategy, which included aims of launching 11 EVs worldwide by 2025, an overall business shift towards EVs and mobility solutions. This not only laid the groundwork for Kia’s dedicated EV line-up, which would commence with the EV6, but also included the first mention of Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business, which would see the brand launch into the commercial vehicle market with the PV5 in years to come.
By the end of 2020, Kia’s EV sales had increased almost 1,000% year-on-year, bolstered by appetite for the e-Niro – as year-to-date EV sales hit 7,426 (compared to 712 in 2019).
2021
2021 marked a pivotal turning point in Kia’s electrification journey in the UK, as the brand’s transformation towards dedicated electric vehicles gathered pace. In January, Kia unveiled its new corporate logo and global slogan, ‘Movement that inspires’, clearly signalling its evolution into a future‑focused mobility and EV‑led brand. The rebrand was accompanied by a preview of Kia’s forthcoming electric line‑up, setting expectations for a new era of design and technology.
Building on its ‘Plan S’ strategy, Kia expanded its global EV ambitions in February 2021, confirming plans to launch seven dedicated electric vehicles by 2027. The brand also outlined its three core business pillars: accelerating EV transition, strengthening its PBV business, and expanding future mobility services. In the UK, Kia also surpassed 10,000 cumulative EV sales during the year, underlining growing consumer confidence in the brand’s electric offering. The 2021 launch of Kia Charge helped simplify public charging access for EV customers nationwide.
The standout moment came in March 2021 with the global reveal of the Kia EV6 – the brand’s first dedicated EV and the first model launched under ‘Plan S’. Inspired by the earlier ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept and built on Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced 800V Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV6 represented a clean break from converted internal‑combustion platforms. It offered ultra‑rapid charging, long‑range driving capability and a bold new design direction for the brand. UK order books opened in May, with first customer deliveries beginning in October, firmly establishing EV6 as the cornerstone of Kia’s next generation of electric vehicles.
Alongside the arrival of EV6, the e‑Niro continued its strong momentum. A new sub‑£35,000 long‑range variant broadened its appeal further, while the model topped UK EV sales charts in both January and February, reinforcing its status as one of the country’s most influential and accessible electric family cars. By the end of 2021, Kia’s annual UK EV sales had risen to 14,337, taking cumulative EV sales to more than 23,000 and cementing 2021 as the year Kia transitioned from early participation to genuine leadership in the UK EV market.
2022-2023
Starting 2022 with a bang, in February 2022 the Kia EV6 was named European Car of the Year, the first Kia model and first Korean car to win the award. The recognition validated Kia’s shift to dedicated EV platforms, with the EV6 praised for its long‑range usability and bold ‘Opposites United’ design.
That momentum continued with the unveiling of the second‑generation e‑Niro, rechristened Niro EV, in April 2022. Redesigned under Kia’s new design philosophy, it introduced improved efficiency, updated technology and Vehicle‑to‑Load functionality, cementing its position as Kia’s EV sales backbone. At the brand’s CEO Investor Day, Kia further strengthened its commitment to electrification, announcing plans to launch 14 EVs globally by 2027.
In 2023, Kia expanded its EV presence into new segments. March saw the global unveiling of the EV9 – Kia’s second dedicated EV and first electric flagship SUV. With bold styling, seven‑seat practicality and advanced E‑GMP architecture, EV9 targeted a previously underserved electric family SUV segment and showcased Kia’s growing confidence at the top end of the market.
Kia’s ambitions were reinforced at its 2023 CEO Investor Day, where it accelerated its EV targets to 1.6 million global EV sales by 2030 and confirmed plans to enter the eLCV market with a mid‑sized electric PBV from 2025. The same year, the EV6 GT was named World Performance Car of the Year, highlighting Kia’s expanding credibility in high‑performance EVs.
The EV9 made its UK public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with order books opening shortly after. Meanwhile, the EV6 GT completed the 1000 Miglia Green as both the highest‑placed performance EV and the first Korean car to compete in the iconic event. In August 2023, Kia surpassed 50,000 cumulative EV sales in the UK, just over eight and a half years after launching its first electric model.
The year concluded with Kia’s inaugural EV Day in October 2023, where the brand unveiled the EV5 alongside concept versions of the EV3 and EV4. The event confirmed Kia’s intent to make electric mobility more accessible, previewing a new generation of mainstream EVs positioned below EV6 and EV9 – setting the stage for Kia’s next phase of growth in the UK.
2024
The year began with Kia formally launching its PBV business strategy at CES 2024, previewing a new generation of modular electric vans and passenger-focused mobility solutions that signalled the brand’s expansion beyond private cars.
The Kia EV9 quickly became the defining model of the year. In March, it was named UK Car of the Year 2024, before securing major international acclaim as World Car of the Year at the 2024 World Car Awards. These reinforced EV9’s position as one of the most significant electric vehicles on sale globally, and a landmark model in Kia’s history, with both wins being repeated by the EV3 the following year.
Momentum continued in May with the unveiling of the Kia EV3, the brand’s first dedicated volume EV. Previewed in concept form at EV Day 2023, EV3 brought Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy and dedicated EV architecture to a more affordable segment, expanding Kia’s UK EV line‑up to five models and broadening its appeal to mainstream buyers.
EV3 pre‑orders opened in August as the most affordable EV Kia had yet offered in the UK, while September saw a significant mid‑life update for the EV6. Introducing a larger battery, improved range and faster charging, the EV6 could go further and charge even faster than ever before. Kia also showcased its PBV concepts in Europe for the first time at IAA Transportation Hanover, reinforcing the momentum behind its commercial EV ambitions.
By the end of the year, Kia celebrated ten years of EV sales in the UK, while cumulative EV sales surpassed 72,000 units. The Soul EV was officially discontinued after a decade on sale, bringing Kia’s first EV chapter to a close, as the brand unveiled the high‑performance EV9 GT in Europe. This year was a clear signal that Kia’s electric future would extend across both volume and high‑performance segments, as well as into the important eLCV market.
2025
2025 was Kia’s busiest year in its 35-year history in the UK, as the brand launched no fewer than nine new models in the UK.
The year began with Kia’s second ever EV Day, hosted in Barcelona, where the brand showcased the breadth of its electric future. Production versions of the EV4 (in hatchback and Fastback form) and the PV5 (Cargo and Passenger) were unveiled alongside the Concept EV2, underlining Kia’s commitment to delivering EVs across multiple segments, price points and use cases.
Recognition for the EV3 continued in its first full year of sales, as it rapidly became Kia’s fastest-selling EV ever. In March, the Kia EV3 was named UK Car of the Year 2025, then World Car of the Year. The back‑to‑back global wins for EV9 and EV3 confirmed Kia as one of the world’s leading forces in electric vehicle development.
At its 2025 CEO Investor Day, Kia further strengthened its long‑term electrification roadmap, announcing PBV sales targets of 250,000 units annually by 2030 and confirming the arrival of larger PBV models, including PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029. The brand also revised its global EV sales target to 1.26 million units by 2030, reflecting confidence in its expanding EV portfolio.
In the UK, 2025 marked the true launch year for Kia’s PBV business. The brand revealed pricing and specifications for the PV5 at the CV Show, opened order books in May and announced a nationwide network of dedicated PBV Centres, giving Kia a firm foothold in the electric commercial vehicle market. The PV5’s credentials were underlined later in the year, achieving a Guinness World Records™ distance milestone [3] and being named International Van of the Year 2026.
Kia’s passenger EV line‑up also expanded. Order books opened for the EV4 in July, followed by the European debut of the EV5 and the start of Kia’s first EV production in Europe, as the EV4 (hatchback) became the first of Kia’s EVs to be manufactured at the brand’s Slovakian plant in Žilina.
By the end of 2025, Kia had surpassed 94,000 cumulative EV sales in the UK and celebrated its 80th anniversary – closing the year with a more diverse electric portfolio than ever before and firmly positioned for its next milestone.
2026
Not resting on its laurels, Kia opened this year as it finished 2025, with the global production debut of the Kia EV2, as well as GT variants of the EV3, EV4 and EV5 at the Brussels Motor Show. Designed, developed, and manufactured exclusively for Europe, the EV2 is also Kia’s smallest EV to be offered in Europe and the UK.
On 11 March, Kia surpassed 100,000 EV sales in the UK, making Kia the first Korean brand to surpass this significant milestone, and one of the first of any brands to achieve this. Kia achieved this milestone just over 2.5 years since surpassing 50,000 sales, and almost 12 years after the Soul EV first went on sale.
Kia announced UK pricing and specifications for the EV2 at the start of April 2026, and as of today, offers a vast line-up of 11 EVs in the UK, each suiting a different purpose and appeal as the brand continues to cater to the needs of UK customers.
Niro-ver and out: Kia says goodbye to the Niro EV in the UK
Having been on sale since April 2019, the Kia Niro EV is no longer on sale in the UK, and all existing orders have been fulfilled. The importance of the Niro EV – and its predecessor, the e-Niro – cannot be understated. Both models put Kia on the map as a leader in electrification, merging Kia’s strengths for quality, practicality and eye-catching design with game-changing electric power at an affordable price point.
Electric variants of the Niro have accounted for more than 51,000 of Kia’s 100,000 EV sales, having been on sale in the UK for the last 7.5 years. Met with popular acclaim, presenting itself as a low-fuss, genuine family-focused EV, the e-Niro was the first EV, and first Korean car, to be named overall ‘Car of the Year’ by What Car? in 2019.
Since the EV3 went on sale in 2024, Kia UK has taken more than 15,000 orders for the model, ensuring that customers considering an electric car in this segment are well-served. The Niro continues to be offered in the UK as a Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid in ‘Pure’, ‘Evolve’ and ‘Aspire’ trim levels.
The next steps in Kia’s EV journey
At the start of April, Kia announced UK pricing and specifications for its latest dedicated EV, the EV2. The small SUV, which sits below the EV3 in overall size, is Kia’s most affordable EV to date, starting below £25,000 on-the-road. This combines compact SUV proportions, bold and eye-catching styling, generous interior space for five and a range of up to 281 miles on a single charge, all neatly into a familiar, Kia package. Reservations for the EV2 are open now, with first customer deliveries commencing later this year.
Following the EV2 in the brand’s ‘EVx/PVx’ dedicated electric line-ups will be the PV7 – the second of Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) models to hit the roads. A larger offering than the PV5, the PV7 will also be offered in a variety of different configurations, each suiting different needs.
