South Korea’s second-largest automaker Kia Motors Corp. has released the all-electric version of the Niro, bolstering the green lineup of its sport utility vehicle following the hybrid and plug-in hybrid.

The Niro EV mounted with a 64 kilowatt-hour battery is capable of running up to 385 kilometers on a single charge. Its electric motor delivers 150 kilowatt or 204 horsepower and a maximum torque of 40.3 kilogram-meters, on par with combustion engines of similar range.

The new EV crossover is fitted with Kia’s latest driver assistance system dubbed Drive Wise, including front collision avoidance, smart cruise control and driver awareness warning. Additional options include blind-spot collision warning, high beam assist and highway driving assist.

For subscribers to UVO, Kia’s in-car telematics system, the audio video navigation system notifies drivers of nearby charging stations in real time.

Other EV-specific features include adjusting charging options depending on the situation and setting the charging time ahead based on the driving schedule.

The 62 kWh Niro EV is available in two models - the Prestige at 47.8 million won ($42,241) and the Noblesse at 49.8 million won, after taxes.

The automaker hopes the new EV lineup would further lift Niro sales. It sold a total of 23,647 Niro hybrids and plug-in hybrid models last year.

By Lee Seung-hoon and Kim Hyo-jin

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