Kia is considering marketing an electric version of the Picanto

The Korean manufacturer is studying how it can reduce costs so that the electric version of the Picanto has a truly competitive price.

If there is one place where an electric vehicle moves like a fish in water, that is none other than the urban environment. Unlike any vehicle with a combustion engine, the lower the speed at which an electric vehicle travels, the lower the energy consumption. This has a positive effect on the range.

In addition, the engine of an electric vehicle does not consume energy when the vehicle is stopped. And, as if this were not enough, in the constant braking typical of urban driving, an electric vehicle is capable of recovering energy. slowing down with the engine itself in reverse mode, instead of using the brake pads.

It is not surprising, therefore, that in the urban vehicle segment the offer of electric vehicles is abundant. There we have, for example, the Volkswagen e-up! and his brothers the Seat Mii Electric and the Skoda Citigo and iV. Without forgetting other models intended to take to the streets of big cities; such as the Mini Cooper SE, Corsa-e or Peugeot e-208.

The electric Kia Picanto could soon be a reality

A new competitor could soon join them all. The Korean manufacturer Kia is considering the possibility of marketing an electric version of the Picanto. Or at least that is what Emilio Herrera, Head of Operations for Kia Motor in Europe, has assured.

According to Herrera, for the moment there is nothing confirmed, since they are studying the feasibility of the project. At Kia they believe that for this model to be successful They will have to find a way to reduce their price by around 4000 euros.The Korean firm estimates that an electric version of the Picanto would currently cost around 20 thousand euros. However, for this electric version of the Picanto to be competitive, they consider that its price would have to be lowered, so that it would remain around 16 thousand euros.

To achieve this goal, Kia could turn to its sister company Hyundai, which could also market an electric version of the i10. In this way, taking advantage of economies of scale, Both manufacturers could reduce costs.

Price difference with the gasoline version

The Kia Picanto with a petrol engine currently has an entry price of just over 10 thousand euros. Although a fully equipped version can cost around 17 thousand euros. The latter is precisely the price that Kia considers to be the right one for an electric version. Since, in this way, the price difference compared to the petrol version would be affordable for many potential customers, they say.

When it comes to buying a Picanto, one should not overlook the savings in "fuel" over the entire life of the vehicle that would be possible with the electric version; the lower maintenance costs; and the advantage of being able to access emission-free zones in large cities.