Kia has launched the Niro Plus, the firm's first Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV).
Based off the first generation Kia Niro EV, this Niro Plus has been designed to serve as a taxi in Korea. And to that end, it has got a 10mm increase to its total length, alongside an 80mm increase to total height, all in order to offer passengers greater space.
The Kia Niro Plus sports an all-in-one display that will remove the need for multiple screens as is the norm in other taxis And aiding affairs here further also are thinner seats and door trims compared to the original Niro EV.
Up front on the dashboard, the Kia Niro Plus also has an all-in-one display. This display will include all information relevant for taxi drivers to seamlessly go about their work, including navigation, app taximeter, digital tachograph and voice recognition. Kia states this change was done to offer greater convenience and safety for the driver of the Kia Niro Plus by removing the need for multiple devices and screens.
The system will also include data on relevant points of interest and locations of nearby electric vehicle charging stations, so your future taxi driver really should have no excuse the next time he/she gets lost.
Kia additionally states that it also has plans to work with local and national business to update this system via over-the-air updates.
The Kia Niro Plus gets an 80mm increased height alongside thinner seats for more passenger space in its cabin Kia states that it has plans to offer a non-taxi version of the Niro Plus in select markets starting from the second half of 2022. In addition to this battery electric version, the Niro Plus will be available as plug-in hybrid and full- hybrid in these markets.
Kia had previously announced back in early 2021 that it will develop a lineup of PBVs and become a market leader for the segment come 2030. These PBVs will be based on flexible skateboard platforms, with modular bodies designed to meet the specific mobility needs ranging from car-sharing vehicles, to low-floor logistics, and delivery vehicles.
The firm states it will launch its first dedicated PBV model in 2025. It describes this vehicle simply as being 'mid-sized' although it will be based upon a platform that will offer inherent scalability.
Based off the first generation Kia Niro EV, this Niro Plus has been designed to serve as a taxi in Korea. And to that end, it has got a 10mm increase to its total length, alongside an 80mm increase to total height, all in order to offer passengers greater space.
Up front on the dashboard, the Kia Niro Plus also has an all-in-one display. This display will include all information relevant for taxi drivers to seamlessly go about their work, including navigation, app taximeter, digital tachograph and voice recognition. Kia states this change was done to offer greater convenience and safety for the driver of the Kia Niro Plus by removing the need for multiple devices and screens.
The system will also include data on relevant points of interest and locations of nearby electric vehicle charging stations, so your future taxi driver really should have no excuse the next time he/she gets lost.
Kia additionally states that it also has plans to work with local and national business to update this system via over-the-air updates.
Kia had previously announced back in early 2021 that it will develop a lineup of PBVs and become a market leader for the segment come 2030. These PBVs will be based on flexible skateboard platforms, with modular bodies designed to meet the specific mobility needs ranging from car-sharing vehicles, to low-floor logistics, and delivery vehicles.
The firm states it will launch its first dedicated PBV model in 2025. It describes this vehicle simply as being 'mid-sized' although it will be based upon a platform that will offer inherent scalability.
