Kia: "Charge to 80% capacity in less than 18 minutes"

Kia is going all-in on electrification, planning to introduce 11 new BEV models by 2025. The OEM also offers various services to fleet customers, said Mark Howlett, Head of Fleet and Remarketing, Kia Europe. Kia is also one of the sponsors of the 2021 Global Fleet Conference on 12 May 2021, the completely free, 12-hour online event for fleet & mobility professionals.

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How is Kia organised to efficiently answer global fleet tenders, knowing that you are not present in all markets?

Mark Howlett: "Kia Fleet International, based at the Kia Regional Headquarter for Europe in Frankfurt, is the highest level of Fleet Organisation currently existing within Kia. With the remit to manage and coordinate the relationship between Kia and its International Fleet Customers, the Kia Fleet International team provides a central point of contact to assist in all B2B related topics, such as Global Tender Response, International Framework Agreement, and New Vehicle Launch/Demonstration."

How does Kia anticipate the fleet electrification wave with services that answer the expectations of global fleet customers?

"With 11 all-new BEV models to be introduced by 2025, it is imperative that we also bring the right connected features, services and vehicle management systems to enable a seamless and value-adding transition from traditional ICE vehicles to fully electrified vehicles for our valued Fleet Customers. Such services would include the recently launched telematics platform Kia UVO Connect and Kia Charge, our plug-in charging eco-system with fully integrated IONITY fast charging possibilities."

What can fleet and mobility customers expect from your brand in 2021?

"In 2021, Kia will introduce the first of its next generation battery electric vehicles, the all-new KIA EV6. EV6 aims to answer the age-old questions of how to combine the highest levels of driving performance, battery efficiency and driving range capability, with the ability to also charge conveniently. EV6 does exactly this, by bringing the added dimension of 800V high-speed charging capability, meaning that our customers will be able to charge from 10 to 80% capacity in less than 18 minutes!"

Photo: Mark Howlett, Head of Fleet & Remarketing, Kia Europe