Kia doesn’t just build EVs for a cleaner future. The company wants to be a complete sustainable mobility solutions provider. As part of its efforts, Kia introduced a new “world first” EV3 accessory made from plastic found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It’s the first genuine Kia accessory made using reclaimed ocean plastic.
The EV3 was introduced during Kia’s first annual EV Day last October as part of its new affordable electric car lineup.
After opening pre-orders in June, starting at just over $30,000 (KRW 42.08 million), Kia’s compact electric SUV secured over 10,000 reservations in 23 days.
Kia’s vice president, Jeong Won-Jeong, is already calling the EV3 a “game changer” in its home market. Through its new E-Value program, Kia’s EV3 can be bought for as little as $67 per month.
In Europe, the EV3 starts at about $40,000 (36,000 euros) and can drive up to 372 miles (599 km) on a single charge.
Ahead of its US debut, Kia’s low-cost electric SUV has already been spotted testing on public roads (see the images here). The EV3 is expected to launch in the US by 2026, with prices starting around $30,000 to $35,000, which would make it among the cheapest EV options.
Kia EV3 gains new accessory made from ocean plastic
In 2022, Kia joined forces with The Ocean Cleanup to help clean up the world’s oceans. The support has already helped remove over one million pounds of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP).
The massive floating waste is the largest of its kind, covering an estimated 1.6 million sq km. Kia is finding a better way to use wasted plastic as part of its efforts.
Kia introduced the “first ever car accessory made using plastic extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by The Ocean Cleanup” on Monday.
The accessory is a limited-edition trunk liner designed for the new Kia EV3. Kia said the trunk liner will be available in select markets. It will be available to order “in line” with the EV3 rolling out to new markets.
Kia called the new EV3 accessory “one of the most significant outcomes of the partnership so far.” The company’s executive vice president, Charles Ryu, said the partnership is “a worldwide movement to create cleaner, healthier oceans for future generations.”
As the first Kia accessory from recycled ocean plastic, the company sees “tangible progress made toward creating a circular resource system for ocean plastic.”
The trunk liner is reminiscent of waves and “the flow of trash into a collecting area.” Made from 40% reclaimed ocean plastic, the accessory is just as durable and functional as a conventional trunk liner, Kia claims.
Each trunk liner also includes a QR code that provides more information about the product’s development and Kia’s partnership with The Ocean Cleanup.
Kia has introduced other eco-friendly materials, including recycled fishnets for flooring in its three-row EV9. The EV6 also uses cloth and matting from recycled plastics as part of Kia’s efforts.
To support its vision of becoming a global leader, Kia pledged to use over 20% sustainable materials in its vehicles by 2030.