South Korean automaker Kia announced on Thursday it has begun assembly of the compact EV2 in Slovakia, becoming the second fully electric model it manufactures in Europe.
The small SUV had its official debut during the Brussels Auto Show in January.
The EV2 launched last week in Europe, with orders opening in Germany for an entry-level price of €26,600.
Kia introduced electric production in its Žilina factory with the hatchback version of the EV4 last August.
The debut of the two models follows an investment of over €200 million into a modernisation programme completed in the lines last year.
The almost two-square-kilometre factory employs around 3,700 people and operates with more than 600 advanced robots across five main production areas: press, body, paint, engine, and assembly.
The facility produced approximately 300,000 vehicles and about 470,000 engines in 2025, including the XCeed, Sportage, and EV4, which were exported to 73 countries.
These figures account for 9.3% of Kia‘s global vehicle output.
“The start of production for the EV2 continues to verify our technical capabilities and flexibility in Europe,” President and CEO at Kia Europe Soohang Chang on Thursday.
As it nears 20 years of European production, the company now produces “fully electric models and cars with hybrid and internal combustion powertrains side by side,” he added.
Kia EV2
The EV2 is set to become the automaker’s smallest and most affordable EV to date and designed, developed, and soon to be produced in Europe.
The model is offered with a choice of two battery options, 42.2kWh and 61.0kWh, presenting anticipated ranges of up to 317 and 453 kilometres (pending final WLTP homologation).
The model is available in Air, Earth, and GT-Line trims.
Flexible charging options, including 400V DC fast charging and 11kW AC charging, support both urban commuting and longer journeys, while connected services, such as EV route planning, Plug & Charge functionality, and bidirectional charging, simplify ownership.
Its compact size still offers generous legroom, sliding and reclining rear seats, and up to 403 litres of cargo capacity.
The EV2 competes directly with BYD‘s compact Dolphin and smaller Atto 2 and Atto 3 SUVs, the Nio‘s sub-brand Firefly EV, the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo, and the Renault 5 E-Tech, among others.
Last year, its parent company Hyundai Group also launched the city compact, SUV-shaped Hyundai Inster, priced similarly to the EV2.
EV Lineup
Kia has one of the most complete all-electric lineups in Europe, with six models spanning from the entry-level B-segment to the full-size three-row SUV category — including the EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, and EV9.
All six vehicles are built on Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform and come with Kia‘s seven-year warranty.
The EV3 compact SUV — which kicked off Kia‘s European EV push — has become one of the top-selling EVs in Europe.
A sportier EV3 GT variant has since joined the range, featuring enhanced chassis tuning for a more dynamic driving experience.
Last year, it debuted the EV4 — available as a sedan (produced in South Korea) and as a hatchback (exclusively built in Europe).
The mid-size electric EV5 SUV and the larger EV6 follow.
The EV6 offers rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, with over 300 miles of range and ultra-fast 800V charging architecture.
Kia‘s flagship EV, however, is a three-row electric SUV seating up to seven passengers.
The EV9 delivers over 300 miles of range in certain configurations and is available with dual-motor all-wheel drive for towing and off-road capability.
Outlook
Kia’s global sales in 2025 reached 3.13 million units, reaching a new annual global record.
Outside of its domestic market, the South Korean automaker registered over 2.58 million vehicles, an increase of 2% year over year.
Last year, Kia “focused on hybrid expansion in the US and strengthened its market position in Europe through volume EV growth,” it said in a press release earlier this year.
Throughout 2025, the company launched a total of nine new models on a global scale, including the EV4 and the PV5 — the first dedicated electric light commercial EV.
Kia has set a global sales target of 3.35 million vehicles for 2026, with 2.775 million units expected to be sold overseas and 565,000 in its home market of Korea.
