Late last year, Kia Philippines president Manny Aligada revealed plans to launch an all-electric vehicle to the local market. Now the Korean auto brand, distributed by Ayala-owned AC Motors, is leveraging the strength of the conglomerate to launch and support the EV6 at the Philippine International Motor Show or PIMS.
“Today, we begin our deliberate participation in the Electric Vehicle market as we move into the inflection point,” says Aligada. “It signifies Kia’s commitment to realizing our social responsibility through our 3S activities – sustainable mobility, sustainable energy, sustainable planet. Sustainability is a future not just for Kia as the Ayala group has committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This is a guideline Kia believes in and is a focal point in our business. Sustainability is our move to protect the greatest source of inspiration, nature,” he adds.
Set for a debut in early 2023 with a price tag below P 4-million, the EV6 is Kia’s first vehicle to ride on a dedicated new platform designed solely for battery electric vehicles. This allows the award-winning crossover to have compact exterior proportions while offering interior space rivaling that of mid-sized SUVs.
Shown as the GT-Line, the EV6 can travel more than 500 kilometers on a single charge thanks to its long-range 77.4-kWh high-voltage battery pack. Powering it is a 229 horsepower, 350 Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. This gives it a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 7.3 seconds.
While its standard 800-volt electrical architecture grants it ultra-fast charging capabilities, the EV6 will also some with a slew of charging options for the local market. These include the Kia In Cable Control Box (ICCB) charger that comes with the vehicle; a home wall-mounted charger that can be purchased and installed by Kia affiliate, Greenstrum, or a number of malls and establishments that offer the Type 2/CCS2 protocol.
When it comes to safety, the EV6 GT-Line will offer class-leading levels of safety and convenience thanks to its enhanced suite of advanced driver assistance systems or ADAS. These include: Safe Exit Assist (SEA) which helps drivers avoid collisions with a rear side vehicle when exiting; Lane Following Assist (LFA) which helps center the vehicle in the lane; and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA) which will alert drivers about oncoming hazards when backing up.
Aligada also shares that Ayala Land is one with the conglomerate’s commitment towards sustainable and responsible property development. In keeping with the company’s thrust and long-term commitment, it supports the use of alternative energy sources. Further, it aligns with the global and local directive to shift to more EVs. And in the coming weeks, over 20 EV charging stations will be rolled out across seven cities in Luzon.
At PIMS, Kia is demonstrating the Kia Vehicle to Load (V2L) capabilities of the EV6. This allows the EV6 to supply up to 3.6 kW of power, allowing it to operate a 55-inch television and air conditioner simultaneously for 24 hours.
