Aysel YÜCEL / AUTONOMI
While the transformation to electric vehicles in automotive accelerated all over the world, the demand for these vehicles increased in Turkey as well. In addition to environmental concerns, rising fuel costs in Turkey are leading many consumers to electric vehicles. Automotive According to the data released by the Distributors Association (ODD) last week, 1,560 electric vehicles were sold in Turkey in the first 9 months of 2021, while this figure has exceeded 4 thousand in the same period of 2022. An important reason for the increase in the number is the acceleration of electric vehicle launches in Turkey, parallel to Europe. Especially in recent weeks, brands have been introducing electric vehicle models one after another. However, in automotive production, where the chip crisis partially continues, a limited number of electric vehicles come off the bands. Turkey, on the other hand, is negatively differentiated in supply. Because brands give priority to the EU countries, where heavy sanctions on emissions have begun, for the vehicles they produce in limited numbers.
Giving priority to the EU markets in the supply of electric vehicles also upset Kia Turkey, which recently introduced two new electric models to the market. Kia Turkey General Manager Can Ağyel, who made important statements on this issue at the launch of the new Kia EV 6 and the new electric Kia Niro held in the TRNC last week, said that the EU has reduced the amount of carbon dioxide per kilometer to 95 grams per kilometer by 2021 in vehicles sold by manufacturers, and that Reminding that manufacturers face serious penalties, he said, “For this reason, brands give priority to European countries in new electric models, so we cannot buy as many vehicles as we want.”
“We would have sold 10 times if it was a car”
Can Ağyel pointed out that although they bought a limited number of vehicles, nevertheless, thanks to the potential in the market and the close relations established by the Turkish team, the launch of electric vehicles was made simultaneously in Turkey parallel to the EU, “Of course, it is not at the desired rates, but we still bring certain numbers of electric vehicles. We can only get one-tenth of the pieces we want from abroad. We have brought and sold nearly 50 electric Niro and close to 50 EV 6 so far. By the end of the year, we can bring this many more electric vehicles. If you say how much demand is, multiply it by 10”.
Stating that Kia, which started its journey of transformation with the slogan “Inspiring Journey” in 2021, is advancing with firm steps towards its sustainability goals, Can Ağyel said, “Within the scope of the Plan S strategy announced by Kia in 2020 and our roadmap for 2030, we will continue to expand our electric product range in Turkey and continue to grow. We continue our transformation journey that started globally. Kia announced that it will develop 14 electric models by 2027. The new EV 6 and the New Niro EV are our two new models developed in line with this strategy. With our vision of the future, we want to expand autonomous driving technologies in all our vehicles, with our vehicles with electric or electric assisted motors. We want to reach our goals,” he said.
30% of sales will be electric by 2030
Kia aims to provide 5 percent of its total sales from electric vehicles by the end of 2022 on a global scale. Ağyel said, “21 percent of total sales in 2026 and 30 percent in 2030 will be obtained from fully electric vehicles. With the inclusion of hybrid vehicles, the share of electric and electric-assisted vehicles in total sales will reach 52 percent. We foresee that in 2030, we will have a product range parallel to the EU in Turkey as well. Because this transformation is also valid for TR.” Kia aims to sell 4 million vehicles globally in 2030, 1.2 million of which are electric; It aims to expand connectivity and autonomous driving technologies in all its vehicles.
“New models on the way in 2023”
Stating that the New EV 6 and New Niro EV attracted great attention as soon as they arrived in Turkey, Ağyel said, “We will continue to invest in our electric vehicles within the scope of our 2030 roadmap. By the end of 2023, we will bring our electric model EV 9, which has another SUV body type, to Turkey and develop the alternatives we offer to our customers in electric vehicles.” On the other hand, Ağyel said that Kia will introduce the electric C sedan model in 2025 and will produce electric commercial vehicles in 2026.
“There is great interest in the EV6, which was chosen as the car of the year in the EU”
The Kia EV6 model, which won the “2022 Car of the Year” award in Europe, was launched in Turkey in June with the GT-Line 4×4 version. Can Ağyel emphasized that EV6, which met with the press for the first time last week, received great acclaim in Turkey as well as in other countries. Ağyel said, “We have no difficulty in selling the EV6 because it is the car of the year. The Niro is also a vehicle suitable for city use. The price is also much more reasonable.” Kia EV6 can reach a driving range of up to 506 kilometers on a single charge, according to WLTP data. In addition, thanks to the advanced 800V charging technology used in Europe, it allows the vehicle to be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. In the last months of 2022, the GT version of the EV6 with 585 PS will be available.
Starting from TL 2.1 million, the EV6 is the first car to use Kia’s special platform (E-GMP) designed for electric vehicles (BEV). Kia’s environmentally friendly SUV, the New Niro, is available in both hybrid and electric versions. The hybrid version of the model started at 1 million 190 thousand TL, while the electric version went on sale with prices starting from 1 million 470 thousand TL. The Kia Niro EV can reach a driving range of 460 km (WLTP). Niro, which also offers DC charging, can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in 65 minutes at 50 kW DC charging stations and 45 minutes at 100 kW DC stations.