Kia Ray EV was Korea's first 100% electric production car, introduced in 2011. A close relative of the gas-powered Ray CUV, the model "marked a new era in Korean motoring." However, the mini electric car was discontinued in 2018 due to the country's lack of charging infrastructure and the vehicle's limited range of 139 km (86 miles).
In August, it was announced that the Kia Ray EV had been redesigned and re-equipped. Pre-orders for the new Ray EV began on August 24th. Now Kia has revealed that it has gathered over 6,000 interested customers, already exceeding its target of 4,000 for the entire year.
Powered by a 35.2 kWh LFP battery and improved aerodynamics, the new Ray EV achieves up to 210 km (130 miles) of range. When traveling in the city, the figure bumps up to 233 km (144 miles). It takes around 40 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% with a 150 kW fast charger.
The Ray EV’s electric motor has a maximum output of 64.3 kW (86 hp) and 147 Nm of maximum torque. Again, it may seem tiny in the US, but those numbers are 15% and 55% higher than the ICE version, respectively.
Inside, all seats can be folded flat to create a spacious open-air environment. A special "utility mode" allows electrical devices such as air conditioning and audio to be used when not driving for extended periods. This feature can be used for work, camping, resting and more.
Source: Kia