Kia EV4 in the UK Cheaper than EV3 After Receiving Full Subsidy

JAKARTA - The Kia EV4 hatchback is now cheaper than the EV3 in the UK. In fact, the EV4 is larger in size. The reason is not a dealer discount, but an electric car subsidy from the British government.

Citing a report from Autocar, Tuesday, June 2, the Kia EV4 hatchback is now in the highest category of the Electric Car Grant or ECG program. This program is a British government aid to reduce the price of electric cars that meet certain requirements.

EV4 naik dari Band 2 ke Band 1. Artinya, subsidi yang diterima naik dari 1.500 poundsterling menjadi 3.750 poundsterling. Dengan subsidi penuh itu, Kia EV4 varian dasar Air kini dijual mulai 30.995 poundsterling.

The car is powered by 201 bhp. Bhp is a unit to measure engine or motor power. The mileage is 273 miles on a single charge, or about 439 kilometers.

Autocar notes that the EV4 price is now 560 pounds cheaper than the equivalent EV3. This is interesting because the EV3 is actually smaller. Both are also technically closely related, including using the same batteries and electric motors.

The key is in the production location. The EV4 hatchback is made in Slovakia. Meanwhile, EV3 is produced in South Korea. In the ECG program, the British government also calculates emissions from the vehicle supply chain. The delivery of cars from East Asia to the UK makes EV3 emissions higher.

Therefore, the EV3 still only receives a Band 2 subsidy of 1,500 pounds. The EV4 hatchback gets Band 1 with a full subsidy of 3,750 pounds.

The fate of the fastback version of EV4 is different, namely the model with a sloping rear roof line. This model is also imported from South Korea to the UK. However, this version did not get ECG because the price was too high, namely 40,495 pounds.

The increase in the status of the EV4 hatchback subsidy makes the price competitive again with rivals who have already received a full discount. Among them, the Mini Countryman E starts at 29,555 pounds, the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross Long Range starts at 32,565 pounds, and the Renault Scenic E-Tech starts at 33,245 pounds.

According to Autocar, the Kia EV2 Long Range is also eligible for a full £3,750 subsidy. This smaller electric car is assembled in Slovakia and uses European-made batteries.

If approved for Band 1, the Kia EV2 Long Range price could drop from £27,995 to £24,245.

Currently, Kia UK has given a discount of its own of £3,750 for the EV2 Long Range. However, this discount will be replaced by the ECG if the variant is approved by Band 1.