The Kia EV2 prototype covered 310.6 kilometers at the coldest edition of Norway’s El Prix Winter Test Drive. The event is organized by the Norwegian Automotive Federation (NAF). It is one of the most demanding EV evaluations globally.
Highlights
- The long-range EV2 prototype achieved 310.6 km in sub-zero temperatures, finishing within 25% of its target WLTP range and outperforming tested production vehicles.
- Rapid DC charging reached 10-to-80% in 36 minutes, only six minutes longer than official figures despite harsh winter conditions.
- The EV2 is built on Kia’s 400V E-GMP architecture with 11 kW AC, 22 kW AC, and rapid DC fast charging capabilities.
- Formal WLTP certification is expected in Q3 2026, with production of the long-range variant beginning in June 2026 at Kia AutoLand Slovakia.
Test Conditions and Results
The tested EV2 “GT-line” prototype featured a 61.0 kWh long-range battery and 19-inch wheels. It was driven for more than five hours in Norway’s Jotunheimen region. Temperatures dropped to -21°C during the run.
The target WLTP range for the long-range EV2 is 448 km. For the GT-line with 19-inch wheels, the target is 413 km. The prototype’s deviation of -24.81% placed it ahead of official participants. WLTP figures have not yet been finalized.
Because the EV2 is a prototype, its results were not included in NAF’s final report. However, it completed the route alongside the official program. It drove in the same conditions as series-production EVs.
Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President of Product and Marketing at Kia Europe, said the result confirms the EV2 will deliver reliable range in extremely low temperatures. He added that the EV2 is the entry point to Kia’s EV lineup without compromise. It offers European customers an affordable path to electric mobility.
Charging Performance in Extreme Cold
The EV2’s 400V E-GMP platform supports multiple charging options:
- 11 kW AC charging
- 22 kW AC charging
- Rapid DC fast charging: 10-to-80% in 36 minutes under sub-zero conditions
The six-minute deviation from official charging times in extreme cold underscores the vehicle’s consistent everyday usability.
About the El Prix Winter Test Drive
The El Prix Test Drive is held twice annually in summer and winter. It compares EVs on the Norwegian market under identical real-world driving and charging conditions. This year’s winter edition recorded the coldest temperatures on record, reaching -31°C.
Formal WLTP figures for the EV2 will be determined under standardized laboratory conditions. The reference test temperature is approximately 23°C. An independent accredited technical service will conduct the evaluation. Results are expected in Q3 2026.
European Production and Lineup Expansion
The EV2 is Kia’s second fully electric model produced at Kia AutoLand Slovakia in Žilina. The 42.2 kWh standard-range battery version is currently in production. The 61.0 kWh long-range version and the GT-line variant will follow from June 2026.
Kia’s first electric model from the Slovakia facility was the EV4. At the same El Prix Winter Test Drive, the EV4 with an 81.4 kWh battery and 19-inch wheels achieved 390 km in identical conditions. With a WLTP-homologated range of 594 km, the EV4 ranked among the top overall performers.
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