Kia is expanding its lineup of driving school vehicles.
Kia is expanding its driving school program to include a total of 14 certified test vehicles. Among the new additions are three electric cars: the compact EV4, the EV4 Fastback, and the compact SUV EV5. Additionally, the manufacturer offers special conditions and subsidies for modifying vehicles for driving schools.
Image: Kia
Kia has had additional models certified for use in driving tests. From now on, driving schools can choose from a total of 14 Kia models. New to the catalog of fully electric training vehicles are the compact EV4, its fastback version the EV4 Fastback, and the compact SUV EV5. The compact SUV EV3, the crossover EV6, and the large SUV EV9 have already been approved for use as test vehicles for some time.
Six electric Kia models for driving schools
The entry point in Kia’s electric lineup is the EV3, which comes with 58.3- or 81.4-kWh batteries, 150 to 195 kW of power, and a range of up to 605 kilometers. In the compact class, the EV4 (425 to 625 km) and the EV4 Fastback (440 to 633 km) are also equipped with 58.3 or 81.4 kWh batteries.
The EV4, which was developed and manufactured in Europe unlike the other models mentioned here, will also be available for the 2027 model year with all-wheel drive and an optional 22-kW on-board charger for the first time. The EV5 uses an 81.4-kWh battery and offers 160 to 195 kW of power, with a range of up to 530 km.
The EV6 offers batteries of 63 or 84 kWh, power outputs of 125 to 239 kW, and a range of up to 582 km. At the top end, the EV9 completes the electric lineup with batteries of 76.1 or 99.8 kWh, up to 283 kW of power, and a maximum range of 563 kilometers.
For driving schools that still wish to use conventional engines in their fleets, eight additional models with internal combustion or hybrid powertrains are available. The compact car K4, its station wagon variant K4 Sportswagon, and the compact SUV Seltos have been newly certified, adding to the existing lineup that includes the Stonic, XCeed, Niro Hybrid, Sportage, and Sorento models.
To support training operations, Kia Germany offers special conditions for driving schools and their employees when purchasing vehicles, and it subsidizes upgrades such as the installation of dual pedal systems, additional mirrors, roof signs, magnetic signs, or decals. These special conditions apply provided there is proof of business registration for the driving school, a valid driving instructor’s license, or confirmation from the driving school for its employees.
More electric driving school cars thanks to end of automatic transmission restriction
With the automatic transmission restriction in driving training removed in April 2021, electric cars are becoming increasingly popular in driving schools. After passing an exam, trainees are allowed to drive vehicles with manual transmissions as well, provided they have completed at least ten driving hours in a manual vehicle and a 15-minute test drive.