Not everyone wants or needs the EV with the biggest battery and the most range, especially if it means a higher price.
That appears to be what Kia has discovered—with an asterisk—with the EV6. Less than a year ago, Kia dropped the lower-priced base Light version of the EV6, which was the only model to offer the smaller 58-kwh battery pack. Now it’s bringing back the affordable version on a limited basis, as first discovered Friday by partner site CarsDirect
“Kia is following the market and other sellers such as VW (ID.4) are offering shorter range models in relatively limited volume,” said U.S. product communications manager James Hope to Green Car Reports. “Kia is doing the same in the Western Region only.”
Hope added that customers who don’t require the longer range appreciate the value.
From an environmental standpoint, it’s also a plus, as manufacturing the EV6 then takes less costly precious metal and mineral resources.
2022 Kia EV6
2022 Kia EV6
2022 Kia EV6
Kia hasn’t said whether its loss of the purchase-related EV tax credit made any difference in the decision, but it appears that it’s already taking the $7,500 Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit loophole into account with leases—so look out for some more attractive figures, as Hyundai recently started offering with its Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 leases