From electric vans to entry-level SUVs, Kia now has an EV for nearly everyone. After sales jumped 88% in the second quarter, Kia expects demand to pick up in the second half of 2026.
Kia’s electric and hybrid vehicles drive growth in Q2
Kia’s bet on electrified vehicles is paying off. In the second quarter, the Korean automaker sold 110,000 pure electric vehicles, up 88% from the same period last year.
After gas and oil prices spiked earlier this year, Kia zeroed in on each region, introducing new electric and hybrid vehicles.
In Europe and South Korea, Kia said strong demand for the PV5, its first electric van, and new mass-market EVs, including the EV2, EV4, and EV5, helped drive growth. Kia sold 38,000 EVs in Korea, more than double (+123.4%) compared to Q2 2025. Electric vehicles accounted for 24.5% of Kia’s domestic sales in the second quarter.
In Western Europe, Kia sold 52,000 pure electric vehicles, also more than double (+101.5%) compared to Q2 2025.
Kia’s hybrid (HEV) sales rose 61% year-on-year to 178,000 units thanks to new models including the Telluride and Seltos Hybrids.
The “rapid growth of HEVs in the US was clearly evident,” Kia said. In the US, Kia sold 66,000 HEVs in the second quarter, an increase of 151% from the same period last year. Hybrid vehicles accounted for nearly 30% (29.6%) of Kia’s US sales.
Looking ahead, Kia expects to deliver a “solid performance” in the second half of 2026 and will meet its annual guidance.
With new EVs and hybrids launching in key markets over the next few months, Kia expects to sell more vehicles in the second half of 2026 than it did in the same period last year.
In the US, Kia is launching the all-electric EV3 SUV by the end of 2026. It will also begin deliveries of the new Sportage Hybrid, its first model built at Hyundai Motor Group’s Metaplant America. The Sportage HEV will be built alongside the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9.
With local production ramping up in Europe, Kia plans to “maximize the price competitiveness” of the EV2 and EV4.
Earlier this month, the EV2 Long Range variant went on sale with a WLTP driving range of up to 281 miles, starting at €33,490 ($38,300) in Germany.
The PV5, Kia’s electric van, will continue driving growth in the light commercial vehicle market in Europe, the UK, and other global markets.
Kia is launching several new PV5 variants, including a 7-seater (2-2-3), a luxury Prime model, and the PV5 Cargo High Roof. Next year, it will expand its PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) lineup with the larger PV7, followed by the PV9 by 2030.
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