Kia has started production of its new compact electric SUV, the Kia EV2, at its plant in Žilina, strengthening its European manufacturing footprint as part of its regional electrification strategy.
The EV2 becomes the second battery-electric model produced at the Slovakian facility after the Kia EV4, which entered series production in August 2025. Kia said the new model is positioned as its most affordable electric vehicle in Europe to date, aimed at attracting new customer groups.
The B-segment SUV made its global debut at the Brussels Motor Show 2026 and has been available to order since mid-March. In Germany, prices start at €26,600 for the base version equipped with a 42.2 kWh battery offering up to 317 kilometres of WLTP range. A larger 61 kWh battery variant, available in the Air trim, starts at €33,490 and delivers up to 453 kilometres of range.
Unlike smaller models such as the Hyundai Inster—which is derived from a combustion-engine platform—the EV2 is built on Kia’s dedicated E-GMP electric architecture. It shares this platform with the EV4, although it features different components and battery configurations.
At the start of production, Kia is manufacturing only the standard-range version of the EV2, with the larger battery and higher-spec GT-Line variants scheduled to follow from June.
The localisation of EV2 production follows an investment of more than €200 million to modernise the Žilina plant, including upgrades to robotics, production lines and working conditions. The factory, which opened in 2004, already supports mixed production of electric, hybrid and internal combustion models such as the Kia Sportage and Kia XCeed.
Kia has not disclosed production targets for the EV2, but the Slovakian facility produced around 300,000 vehicles in 2025, exporting to 73 countries and accounting for over 9% of the company’s global output.
“The start of production for the EV2 continues to verify our technical capabilities and flexibility in Europe,” said Soohang Chang, President and CEO of Kia Europe. “When the EV4 went into production last August, we demonstrated our ability to produce fully electric models and cars with hybrid and internal combustion powertrains side by side. Now adding the EV2, the output of our Slovakian factory will better support Kia’s electrification strategy in Europe.”
