The Kia EV2 long-range prototype has demonstrated remarkable real-world performance, covering 310.6 kilometers during the coldest edition ever of the El Prix Winter Test Drive, organized by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF), one of the most demanding EV tests in the world.
The EV2 is Kia’s second fully electric model produced at the Kia AutoLand Slovakia plant in Žilina. The standard 42.2 kWh battery version is already in production, with the long-range 61.0 kWh and GT-Line variants launching from summer 2026.
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Outstanding winter performance
The EV2 GT-Line prototype, equipped with a 61.0 kWh long-range battery and 19-inch wheels, tackled over five hours of driving under extreme cold, adhering to speed limits while navigating Norway’s mountainous Jotunheimen region, where temperatures dropped as low as -21°C.
Although official WLTP range figures are not yet finalized, the target for the EV2 long-range battery is 448 km, with 413 km for the GT-Line 19-inch wheel configuration. The prototype achieved a -24.81% deviation under harsh winter conditions, outperforming the production vehicles tested alongside it.
“This result shows that the EV2 will continue to deliver impressive range even at extremely low temperatures,” said Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President of Product and Marketing, Kia Europe. “Being the entry-level model in Kia’s electric lineup does not mean compromising on performance; EV2 allows customers across Europe to enter the electric mobility world affordably and reliably.”
Fast and practical charging
Built on Kia’s 400V E-GMP architecture, the EV2 supports AC charging at 11 kW, AC at 22 kW, and DC fast charging. During the test, the prototype charged from 10% to 80% in 36 minutes, only six minutes slower than official specifications despite freezing conditions, highlighting the EV2’s practical usability for daily driving.
As a prototype, the EV2’s results were not included in the NAF’s official report. Nevertheless, it completed the course alongside production EVs under identical conditions. Official WLTP data, measured under standardized testing conditions at around 23°C, is expected to be published in Q3 2026.
Held twice yearly, the El Prix Test Drive evaluates EVs under real-world driving and charging conditions on the Norwegian market. This year’s winter edition was the coldest ever, with temperatures dropping to -31°C, further validating the resilience of Kia’s electric vehicles.
