Kia is Targeting Efficiency with Soul EV and Hybrid Models

Kia and its sister company, Hyundai, are working hard to improve their vehicles’ fuel economy over the next several years. They plan to increase their lineups’ efficiency ratings by 25 percent by the year 2020.

They also intend to boost the number of their eco-friendly models from their current combined 7 to at least 22. They’re looking toward the future, and they know that future must include increasingly sustainable solutions.

It’s clear that this work is already well underway at Kia. The Optima Hybrid, which gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway, has been generating a lot of interest among consumers who shop at Kia dealers in Miami .

Going Electric

It’s also been publicized that Kia is planning to release fully electric versions of the Optima and Sonata for the next model year.

The company is certainly seeing success with their 2015 electric crossover/hatchback, the Soul EV . Based on one of their most popular models, the EV is expected to see some high sales number this year.

Fresh Hybrid Model

Kia also has a brand new vehicle in the works; it would be their first dedicated hybrid . This newcomer is going to take the form of a small SUV, and though it doesn’t have a release date yet, it’s well on its way to joining the lineup.

The plan is for the hybrid version to hit the market first, followed by a plug-in that will appear shortly thereafter.

Delving into Diesel

But electric isn’t the only route that Kia is pursuing when it comes to fuel economy. They’ve also recognized the success that other brands are having with diesel, and they’ve started working in that direction as well.

At the Paris Motor Show this fall, Kia uncovered their Optima T-Hybrid concept which combines a 1.7-liter CRDI turbo diesel 4-cylinder with an electric motor.

Another key element it includes is a lead-carbon battery that doesn’t need to be actively cooled and is simpler to recycle than traditional lithium-ion.

That’s just another avenue Kia is exploring to bring consumers the most efficient vehicles while still maintaining their highly competitive pricing.

Expect to see big innovation from this fast-growing company over the next five years.

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