Kia increased electric vehicle sales in Europe by 58%. The EV3 is no longer unique.
Kia registered 377,078 vehicles in Europe from January to August 2026, an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. According to ACEA data, this gave it the fastest growth among the top ten brands, with electric vehicle sales soaring by 58%.
The European market, measured as the European Union, EFTA, and the United Kingdom, grew by 5.8% during this period. Kia thus grew significantly faster than the overall market, achieving a 4.1% share and ranking ninth among passenger car brands.
The performance of electric vehicles is even better. With a 58% increase in registrations, Kia captured 4.8% of the European EV market, enough to secure seventh place. The largest increases were seen in France, where registrations rose by 120%, and in Germany, with a 112% increase. The United Kingdom saw a 66% rise, Spain 60%, and Italy 41%
Kia expanded its range from EV2 to EV9
One of the brand’s most popular electric models remains the Kia EV3. However, in 2026 it no longer has to carry the load almost on its own. The EV2, EV4, and EV5 have been released for sale, and the full range now also includes the EV6, the seven-seater EV9, and the Kia PV5 van.
Sjoerd Knipping, CEO of Kia Europe, attributes this to having one of the widest and most advanced ranges of electrified vehicles in Europe. This is certainly the manufacturer’s perspective, but the numbers show that subsequent models have indeed led to an increase in registrations.
The lowest-priced Kia EV2 made its debut at the beginning of 2026. In Germany, its prices start at 26,600 euros, while in the UK they begin at 22,245 pounds. The model is produced in Slovakia alongside the EV4, giving Kia two electric vehicles manufactured locally in Europe.
The EV2 will not reach the United States, but Kia has started selling its larger EV3 there. In its first full month, Americans purchased just over 500 units. After another record-breaking quarter, the manufacturer is on track for its fourth consecutive year of record sales in the U.S.
The European results, however, are more interesting as they reflect the impact of an entire lineup rather than just one hit model. The next test will be maintaining this pace after the initial wave of EV2, EV4, and EV5 launches.
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