Big brand's BYD hunter under consideration

Kia only just revealed the production version of its EV2 light SUV, but it could soon be announcing details of something even smaller.

As reported by Autocar, the South Korean carmaker is still continuing to study the possibility of a Picanto-sized electric vehicle (EV), likely to be dubbed EV1.

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“We will continue to look at where the opportunities are and, obviously, it's called EV2 for a reason.

“Longer-term, we continue to study the A-segment. [The] Picanto is still an important model for us, and we continue to have a very important [sales] volume from that.”

Last year Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song told Autocar it’s doing its “homework” on an EV with a starting price under €25,000 (~A$43,300) to rival the likes of the forthcoming Renault Twingo and Volkswagen ID.1 city cars in Europe.

If the EV1 does come to fruition it will likely go into production before the end of the decade.

Hilbert’s comments also hint at this potential electric model being offered alongside the Picanto light hatchback. The current model dates back to 2017 and has now received two facelifts so it’s unclear whether a new-generation model is also in the works.

At this stage it’s unclear whether Kia is pitching the EV1 as a European-only model or if it’ll be offered in its home market or other export markets, like Australia.

Initially the Kia EV2 was alluded to as a European-only model, however it’s set to come to Australia in the second half of 2026.

It’s produced at Kia’s Slovakian facility alongside the EV4, which is set to launch imminently in Australia in both sedan and hatchback body styles.

If Kia does decide to bring the EV1 to Australia it will come up against stiff competition. BYD has just launched its new, entry-level Atto 1 electric hatchback which starts at $23,990 before on-roads, plus MG is soon launching the new, entry-level MG4 Urban.