Electric cars have opened up new possibilities: commentators talk about rewriting the old rules

Attracted the attention of experts

There are many models powered by internal combustion engines that meet the needs of large families. Optionally, 5 or 7 seats together with a solid dose of comfort and modern safety systems can be provided by such SUV models sold in Lithuania as “Peugeot 5008”, “Hyundai Santa Fe”, “Ford Explorer”, “Toyota Highlander” or “Kia Sorento”, etc.

However, when you try to buy such a car with an electric drive, the supply shrinks sharply. Optionally, a large luggage space for trips or seven seats can be configured in electric crossovers such as the Volvo EX90, Mercedes EQS SUV or Mercedes EQB. It is likely that such opportunities will be provided by the soon-to-be-debuted Range Rover electric car. However, all of them are models of the “premium” segment, which require an extremely wide opening of the wallet.

Therefore, last year’s Kia EV9 electric car, which debuted last year, did not pass the eyes of car reviewers who closely monitor the market. Another electric Korean product created on the already famous E-GMP platform for electric cars only took over all the advantages of its smaller brother EV6, which was recognized as the European Car of the Year in 2022: from the 800 V electrical system that ensures extremely fast charging to the driving distance of more than 500 km on a single charge and a wide package of driver assistance systems.

In addition, the 5-meter-long car has its own additional trump cards. One of them is a 3.1 meter long wheelbase. It, together with the flat floor characteristic of electric cars, allowed engineers to create a spacious cabin.

The EV9 can be a six-seater or a seven-seater, and depending on the position of the seats, the trunk volume can increase to 2393 liters. Let’s compare: the trunk of the Kia Sorento powered by an internal combustion engine reaches up to 2,011 liters, and the Peugeot 5008 – up to 2,150 liters.

Pushing boundaries

It is clear that manufacturers who want to respond to the previous structure of the automotive industry are gradually filling traditional niches with electric models. The market includes both electric city kids, SUVs of various sizes, and electric classic sedans presented by representatives of traditional brands: from the BMW i5 to the Mercedes-EQE.

The trio of Opel, Peugeot and Citroën offer electric minivans for both work and play, the Tesla Cybertruck electric pickup is already on the road in the US, and now all-electric models for larger families are on the way. As manufacturers electrify every segment of the range, observers notice an interesting new trend emerging.

Opinions are increasingly being heard that electric cars are successfully blurring the established boundaries between traditional mid-range car manufacturers and representatives of fancier brands. Manufacturers understand that the higher price of electric vehicles often encourages them to step into the “premium” model zone. And here you have to play by the relevant rules: use higher quality materials, install the most modern available systems and offer something more to attract the attention of those drivers who have seen nothing else besides Audi, Mercedes-Benz and similar brands.

This question was raised by one of the commentators of the popular portal TopGear.com, Ollie Kew.

“The South Korean manufacturer’s electric revolution is no accident. They’re causing a stir among the big European premium players, and now they’re pushing the competition into a corner with the introduction of a more affordable electric seven-seater. So a reasonable question arises – even if you like the logo of a more luxurious brand on the body, do you really need it?” asked the journalist rhetorically.

He pointed to the EV9 model’s specifications and equipment list. And here the following figures catch the eye: 380 hp and 700 Nm, which are created by separate electric motors installed on both axles driving them, a battery with a capacity of 99.8 kWh and more than 250 kW of charging power. All this allows the electric car to travel 505 km on a single charge and in just 15 minutes. to top up the battery reserves for a trip of more than a couple of hundred kilometers at a super-fast charging station.

Matas Buzelis, the communications manager of carVertical, a car history verification platform, also points out that the development of electric cars opens up opportunities for mid-range car manufacturers to enter the premium segment, as their hands are tied in many aspects.

“When we talk about more luxurious cars, we mean models with more powerful engines, which is inseparable from electric cars. The EV9 model is probably the highest bar for the manufacturers that they could set for themselves, it just screams about it with all its being. I think other manufacturers will try to do something similar. It is only a matter of time when other players will start experimenting and we will see bolder results”, the expert thinks.

Challenges

Another challenge posed by the Koreans to higher-class players is the technology being implemented, i.e. i.e. the ability to park an electric car after getting out of it, semi-autonomous lane switching on the highway, digital mirrors, etc. That sustainability involves more than just zero emissions is illustrated by the abundance of recycled or recyclable materials used in the car, from plant-based plastics to paint that is free of harmful chemicals.

“The fourth Korean zero-emission car is the largest and most luxurious yet. It takes Kia into market territory it has never ventured into before,” noted Autocar.co.uk’s Matt Saunders.

“The EV9’s angular design and sharp body lines echo the trends of other large premium SUV manufacturers. The sharp yet beautiful edges of the Kia EV9 seem to show what an electric version of the Land Rover Defender 110 could be,” reasoned Marnus Moolman, author of the site msn.com.