Kia joins the kilowatt race

Kia's new electric vehicle (EV). Photo / Supplied

Kia is joining the electric race and will introduce an all-electric city car, with a range of other technologies to make its cars go further on various fuels.

Full technical details on Kia's new electric vehicle (EV) have yet to be revealed, other than to confirm it will be a box-style small vehicle with an advanced LiPoly (Lithium-ion Polymer) battery and be able to travel 160km with a top speed of 130km/h.

Commentators predict it will be based on Kia's Naimo concept that was seen at the Seoul Motor Show earlier this year.

The Korean carmaker initially plans to produce 2000 of its small EV cars next year for use in its domestic market.

In addition to hybrids and all-electric vehicles, Kia Motors has been introducing other fuel-saving technologies under its green Eco-Dynamics brand.

New Zealand already has elements of this technology in the Kia Picanto and the manual Rio, expected here by the end of this year. The Picanto and Rio feature fuel-saving technology called ISG (idle, stop and go) with the engine stopping when the car is idling at traffic lights and automatically re-starting when the clutch is depressed.

Combined with its 1.25-litre engine, the Picanto ISG is New Zealand's greenest and most economical petrol car with a 4.3L/100km combined economy rating.

By 2015, Kia will unveil its first production fuel cell electric vehicle, using next-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology to power electric motors. The vehicle is expected to provide a range of more than 560km and its emissions will be water vapour.

Todd McDonald, general manager of Kia Motors New Zealand, says: "We already have ISG available on the Picanto and Rio and it's only a matter of time before some of those other technologies will be available in New Zealand.

"As these models become available, it means that not only will Kia owners be saving more money on their running costs, they will also be helping to protect the environment while still enjoying the same standard of driving."