Kia has introduced its first mass-market electric vehicle in India, the Carens Clavis EV, marking a strategic shift from its earlier limited EV offerings in the country. Orders for the new electric MPV will open on July 22, with deliveries to follow shortly after, the company said.
The Carens Clavis EV is based on the fourth-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) Carens platform, which was originally designed for India and other emerging markets. Comparable in size to the EV5 compact SUV launched in Europe earlier this month, the Clavis EV features design elements such as Star Map lighting and geometric wheel patterns.
Built on a platform related to Hyundai’s upcoming Creta Electric, the Carens Clavis EV is offered with two nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery options: a 42 kWh standard pack and a 51.4 kWh extended-range pack. The battery cells are expected to be sourced from HLI Green Power, a Hyundai-LG Energy Solution joint venture based in Indonesia.
Kia stated that the battery systems are IP67-certified and tested for 420 mm water immersion to address India’s monsoon conditions. The vehicle also offers 200 mm of ground clearance to protect the battery on uneven roads and inclines. According to the Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC), the standard battery offers a 404 km range, while the extended pack delivers up to 490 km. Charging from 10% to 80% using a 100 kW DC charger takes 39 minutes for both variants.
Both versions feature a single front-mounted electric motor. The standard model delivers 99 kW and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 9.5 seconds, while the extended variant delivers 126 kW with a slightly quicker acceleration of 8.4 seconds. Both versions have a top speed of 166 kph. The EV supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality and offers four levels of regenerative braking, along with i-Pedal 2.0 one-pedal driving.
The Carens Clavis EV is India’s first domestically produced three-row electric vehicle, accommodating seven passengers in a 2+3+2 layout. Key features include ventilated front seats, electric tumble second-row seats, reclining third-row seats, dual-pane sunroof, dual 12.25-inch HD displays, five USB-C ports, and a suite of Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.
Available in four trims—HTK+, HTX, HTX ER, and HTX+ ER—the Carens Clavis EV is priced between INR 1.8 million and INR 2.45 million (approximately EUR 18,000 to EUR 24,500). Kia manufactures the model in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, for the domestic market and has not yet announced any export plans.
