Hyundai, Kia Increase EV Sales by 58%

Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. sold a combined 40,182 all-electric vehicles in the January-May period, up 58 percent from the 25,454 units sold in the same period last year.

Hyundai's EV lineup consists of the Kona subcompact SUV and the Ioniq, while Kia sells the Niro and Soul boxcar.

A company spokesman attributed the increased sales to the rise in demand in Europe due to the stronger emissions standards, adding that Korean carmakers will also benefit from the local governments' subsidies for EVs.

In response to customers' changing appetite and stricter emission standards, both companies plan to boosts their environment-friendly vehicle lineups.

Next year, Hyundai will launch new EV models under its independent brand Genesis, including one based on the EV concept 45, an all-new electric crossover, and the electrified G80 sedan.

Kia plans to launch the second-generation Niro EV and is developing an electric vehicle under the name CV.