Photo = Kia

 

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] Kia has followed Hyundai Motor in fully disclosing the battery manufacturers for its electric vehicles. On August 12th, Kia revealed the battery manufacturers for seven of its electric vehicle models on its official website, making it the second automaker in South Korea to do so, following Hyundai.

The disclosure covers seven models, including the now-discontinued Soul EV, dedicated electric vehicles like the EV3, EV6, and EV9, as well as the Niro EV, Ray EV, and Bongo III EV.

Specifically, the Ray EV (produced after August 2023) and the second-generation Niro EV are equipped with batteries from CATL, the leading Chinese manufacturer. The Ray EV produced between 2011 and 2017 featured batteries from the domestic supplier SK On.

The EV6 and EV9 models are equipped with SK On batteries, while the recently launched EV3 uses batteries from another domestic company, LG Energy Solution. The Niro EV (DE model), Bongo III EV, and Soul EV all come with batteries from either SK On or LG Energy Solution.

This announcement follows Hyundai Motor's recent disclosure of battery manufacturers for its electric vehicles on its website, a first in South Korea. Except for the Kona Electric, which uses batteries from China's CATL, the remaining 12 models are equipped with domestic batteries from LG Energy Solution and SK On.

These disclosures come in response to growing consumer inquiries about the origin of batteries in electric vehicles sold in South Korea, especially after it was revealed that the battery in the Mercedes-Benz EQE, which caught fire in Cheongna, Incheon, was supplied by the Chinese company Farasis.

 

 

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