Kia is reportedly preparing a new battery-electric SUV called the EV7 and a hydrogen fuel cell version of its Carnival MPV, according to a Korean media report citing an internal company production document.
The Korean Car Blog reports that it obtained a document outlining future manufacturing allocations at Kia’s South Korean plants. The material is said to originate from a company committee focused on employment security and contains production plans for several model lines.
Two projects highlighted in the reported document concern Kia’s future electric and hydrogen-powered vehicle portfolio.
EV7 Production Reportedly Scheduled for 2028
According to the report, Kia plans to begin production of the EV7 at its Gwangju plant in 2028. The model is described as a mid-sized battery-electric SUV, although details about its design, technical specifications and positioning have not been disclosed.
The reported timeline comes amid broader plans for new electric SUVs within the Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai, Kia’s sister company, has also been linked to a future Ioniq 7 model.
Kia has not publicly confirmed the EV7 production plan or provided further information about the vehicle.
Hydrogen Carnival Could Become Kia’s First Fuel Cell Production Model
The second reported project involves a hydrogen-powered version of the Carnival, with production expected to begin at Kia’s Gwangmyeong facility by 2029.
If introduced as described, the model would represent Kia’s first series-production vehicle equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain.
The Korean Car Blog also reports that the Carnival is scheduled to enter a new generation in 2028. The next-generation MPV is expected to offer a hybrid powertrain before the planned introduction of the fuel cell version.
The hydrogen system could draw on technology used in the Hyundai Nexo, although Kia has not confirmed the powertrain or its technical specifications.
Carnival Remains Available in Selected Markets
The Carnival is a large multi-purpose vehicle that has also been marketed as the Kia Sedona in some regions. Although Kia previously sold the model in parts of Europe, including the German-speaking DACH market, it was withdrawn from those markets around 2010–2011.
The MPV has continued to be offered in newer generations in South Korea, North America and Russia.
The reported production plans suggest that Kia is considering additional powertrain options for the model as part of its longer-term vehicle strategy. However, the EV7 and hydrogen Carnival remain unconfirmed, with no official specifications, launch details or market availability announced by the automaker.