Kia Niro plug-in hybrid to have 40-km EV range

When Kia introduced its new 2017 Niro hybrid, the company promised that a plug-in version would follow later. Now we know a few more details on the Niro PHEV, which will help Kia's goal of dramatically expanding its range of green cars.

At a presentation today for the 2017 Niro hybrid, Kia product planners said the plug-in version will go on sale in October or November 2017, and that it will have a driving range of 25-26 miles (~40 km) on battery power alone. It'll have an 8.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, up from 1.56-kwh in the regular Niro, and a "beefier" electric drive motor. The gasoline powertrain will remain a 1.6-liter inline-four mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

That driving range is right on top off what Hyundai expects for its Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. The two cars essentially use the same powertrain, though Hyundai expects its model to go about 27 miles (44 km) on all-electric power.

The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid's projected range would beat the Toyota Prius Prime's 25 miles (40 km) of EV range, for instance, though it is still only half of the 53-mile (85 km) EV range of the Chevy Volt.

Expect more details on the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid early next year. The standard Niro goes on sale in January.