Singapore has welcomed its first locally assembled electric vehicle (EV) from Kia – the EV5 SUV – and you can now buy it exclusively through Cycle & Carriage.
This new five-seater electric SUV was first shown to the public four months ago at the Singapore Motorshow in January. Now, it’s officially available for purchase. All units are built right here in Singapore at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre (HMGICS), located in the Jurong Innovation District.
Built by advanced robots in Singapore
The Kia EV5 is assembled at the high-tech HMGICS facility, where around 200 robots help put each car together in just seven hours. According to Dr Hyun Sung Park, the chief executive of HMGICS, about 67 per cent of the car’s assembly and inspection process is automated.
HMGICS is part of the Hyundai Motor Group, the South Korean company that owns both Hyundai and Kia. The Singapore facility has already assembled three other electric vehicles: the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Hyundai Ioniq 6, and a special version of the Ioniq 5 that operates as a robotaxi. While the robotaxi is exported to the United States, the Kia EV5, like the other locally assembled EVs, will only be sold in Singapore.
There are three versions to choose from
The new Kia EV5 is slightly smaller than the popular Tesla Model Y and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It comes in three different versions to suit different drivers. Two versions have a power output of 100kW and qualify for Singapore’s Category A certificate of entitlement (COE). The third version offers a more powerful 230kW and falls under Category B.
Depending on your chosen model, the EV5 can drive between 400km and 540km on a full charge. Prices start from US$194,000, inclusive of COE.
This is a significant moment for Kia in the region. Kevin Ahn, president and chief executive of Kia Asia Pacific, called the launch of the EV5 in Singapore “a significant milestone” for the brand. Kia aims to sell 4.2 million electric vehicles globally by 2030. In 2024 alone, the company delivered 3.1 million vehicles worldwide, including EVs and petrol-powered models.
Built to order with a focus on innovation
Car production at the HMGICS plant began in 2023. Although it can produce up to 30,000 electric vehicles yearly, the plant does not focus on mass production. Instead, cars are built to order, with only a small number produced in advance to reduce customer wait times.
A spokesperson for the plant explained that the main goal of HMGICS is not high output but innovation. “Achieving a large production volume isn’t our primary objective,” he said. “Our main focus remains serving as a global innovation hub for Hyundai Motor Group.”
Electric car registrations have also seen a small rise in Singapore. According to the Land Transport Authority, Hyundai registered 708 electric vehicles in 2024, up slightly from 693 in 2023. This includes both the locally assembled models and others imported from overseas.
On the other hand, Kia registered 48 electric vehicles in 2024, slightly down from 53 units the previous year. With the new EV5 now available, Kia may likely boost those numbers in the coming months.
