Kia back with the Big Beach Clean

Kia Ireland will return as the official sponsor of the Big Beach Clean 2025, which takes place from 19th to 21st September across Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. Last year, over 95 tonnes of litter were removed from Irish beaches and waterways by more than 15,000 volunteers involved in over 600 organised clean-ups.

Registrations are now open for this year’s event, which is hoped to be even larger. Kia is encouraging as many people as possible to sign up for their local beach clean at cleancoasts.org.

The Big Beach Clean is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and invites volunteers from across Ireland to remove litter from coastal areas and inland waterways following the end of the bathing season. The data collected from this campaign is part of a global citizen science project aimed at raising awareness about marine litter and helping to shape future policies.

Kia places sustainability at the centre of their business strategy with a long-term goal of achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2045. As part of this initiative, Kia is committed to using recycled materials in vehicle production, including recycled ocean waste. The plastic recovered from these operations is currently recycled and upcycled for use in the production of Kia EVs, and by 2030, 20% of all Kia vehicle plastics will originate from recycled materials. 

New PBV range from Kia on the way

The first Kia to be built on the company's PBV platform will arrive in Ireland in November in passenger and cargo formats, writes Brian Byrne. The car is built on a modular system that allows a high degree of flexibility in providing a vehicle for specific uses.

Platform Beyond Vehicle is a concept aimed at providing a bespoke means of personal transport for every lifestyle and LCV need, using swappable modules.

The first versions to come to Ireland will be the PV5, all versions with a 71.2 kWh battery and 120kW electric motor. The Cargo version will be in two trim levels, with a starting price of €33,320. The Passenger will have just one trim level, with a retail price of €42,550. Orders can be placed now.

The PBV business will be carried out in Ireland through nine of the brand's existing dealerships. 

Kia EV3 wins 2025 World Car of the Year

The Kia EV3 has secured the prestigious title of 2025 World Car of the year, writes Trish Whelan. 

Winners were selected by a highly respected jury of 96 international automotive journalists from 30 nations. The announcement was made at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. The EV3's victory brings Kia's total of wins at the World Car Awards to six since 2020. 

EV3 is available here with a 58.3kWh battery and a 436km range; the Long Range variant with up to 605km range is fitted with an 81.4kWh battery. The EV3 can charge from 10-80pc in 31 minutes. Prices are from €36,790-€47,190.

 

Kia EV3 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

With 27pc of their sales so far this year being electric cars, the arrival of Kia's EV3 last autumn was an important moment for their Irish operation, writes Brian Byrne. The many thousands who saw the car in fleet at the Dublin St Patrick’s Day Parade will have noted it, but so too have the almost 500 motorists who have invested in the model during the first two months of 2025, punting it from nowhere to the second biggest seller for the brand. Just behind it, the refreshed EV6 has doubled sales over the same period last year.

Electric cars is not the future. It’s the now, regardless of misinformed social media meme-makers and naysayers, a number of whom quite likely don't even drive but thrive on having contrarian opinions on everything. In fairness, though, electric cars are not for everyone, no more than were diesels vis a vis petrol. Like anything else, be it clothing, computers or cars, you should always buy the product that suits your needs. Which means thinking about those needs.

The EV3 follows the large SUV EV9 in style cues, which means it stands out very strongly in its mix of competitors which in electric car terms includes the Volvo EX30, VW's ID.3 and the Cupra Born. In the wider powertrain perspective, the Nissan Juke and the Toyota C-HR offer more traditional alternative. Kia's designers are on quite a roll at the moment, weaving angles, lines and curves in a way that brings to four wheels a very pleasing aesthetic. Sometimes the lack of a grille makes an electric car front seem boring, but the EV3 style details in lights and other parts of its facia design make for a modern visual harmonic. From the side the blockiness of the frame and the quirky alloy looks make it seem a much larger car — for the record, the EV3 is lower than the e-Soul it replaces, but longer and wider. The rear view is brave with skill, distinctive details well melded to the whole.

There's a lot going on with the interior design, a single long screen area incorporating all infotainment and driving matters. Graphics are mainly strong white on black, with colour flashes where appropriate. The effect could have been rather overwhelming, but is in fact strangely restful. Physical volume and temperature controls earn points on my personal scaling.

The EV3 is by a good margin the widest car in its cohort and feels as roomy as it actually is. That open sense applies also in the rear, where the roofline and long wheelbase combine to offer more room than most of this kind of model in its segment. In the storage and trim details, there's nothing that doesn't look thought out absolutely before being incorporated. Including the clever slide-out table in the centre console that can hold a laptop or tablet while the car is parked. The boot capacity is generous.

There are three grades available in Ireland, the basic of which has a choice of 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh batteries rated at 436km and 605km respectively. The other two come with the larger battery, in their case rated at 560km. My usual real-use caveats apply, but the review car did give me acceptable range.

After my time with the EV3, I left it back with a clear sense that it had been one of the most pleasant drives I'd had in a year. It is currently the benchmark for me against competitors in all key metrics — style, perceived quality, driving experience. Safety tech is a given for any serious carmaker these days so we'll just accept that.

I returned it reluctantly. Two more new EV models are upcoming, larger and smaller. Looking forward to them.

PRICE: From €36,790 after grants. WHAT I LIKED: Everything about the EV3 was well thought out. 

Kia EV3 Review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Kia Ireland are on to a winner with the new EV3 launched last November. It's the carmaker’s smallest electric car, for which they claim 'groundbreaking design and an industry-leading electric drivetrain’. Kia are currently in fifth place in SIMI’s passenger car sales charts with 3,711 units already sold this year - a 9.15pc rise over the whole of 2024. The Sportage SUV remains Kia’s top seller here, but the all-electric EV6 and seven-seater flagship EV9 are also proving very popular with Irish buyers. 

The EV3 is slightly shorter in length than the Sportage but with the same wheelbase which means it has good space front and rear. The car borrows features from the EV9 such as the LED light signatures that feature the latest ultra-slim and vertically aligned Daytime Running Lights which emphasise a new interpretation of Kia’s Tiger Face design. The car’s confident stance is immediately apparent with the wide clean-surface bonnet, the side profile show the car’s spectacular silhouette, SUV cladding, gloss black features and floating roofline that seamlessly transitions into a hatchback-style tailgate. There are muscular lines and shapes, bold wheel arches and flush front and integrated rear door handles that pop out to open doors. The rear lamp design seamlessly integrates with the rear glass, while the power operated tailgate maintains the wide and sleek look. 

The two-tone interior is one of peace and calm. My driver’s seat had two memory settings and power adjustments that included lumbar support which all contributed to providing gentle support all the way up my back. Front seats and the two outer rear ones, as well as the steering wheel, can be heated. A power-adjustable sunroof covers the front part of the roof and can tilt open. I found the low height of the dash and the high driving position provided great visibility out front and when approaching junctions but the thickness of the window pillars can slightly hinder your view. The power on/off switch is on the gear shifter off the steering wheel column and a brake switch is on the driver’s side of the dash. 

A highlight for me was the floating 30-inch widescreen display with an intuitive design. Both central console and instrument cluster screens merge together with a black background and colourful graphics. The central screen deals with climate, navigation and your entertainment requirements including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are physical buttons for volume and temperature controls. A Head Up Display includes a blind spot monitor that alerts via red arcs when a vehicle is approaching from behind on either side; there are also blind spot warnings on the side mirrors. Paddles on the steering wheel allow one-pedal driving which means you can lower the car’s speed to a stop by gradually lifting your foot off the accelerator pedal which is great for city driving. 

The specification includes a wireless phone charger and a Type C USB port up front. Two more USBs are integrated into the sides of the front seats for rear passengers to charge their devices. As the EV3 was designed as an electric car, a flat floor here provides more foot space. 

All EV3s come with front and rear parking sensors as well as a very good rear view camera as standard. A neat feature is how a tray can slide out from the central armrest for use as a lap top work area when the car is stopped. It means there’s no storage area below the armrest. Kia get around this by providing a big open storage area close to the floor to hold larger items. Boot space is a decent 460 litres, and you can adjust the floor level. There’s no spare, just a tyre sealant kit. Cable space is provided in a 25 litre frunk under the front bonnet. 

Three trims are Earth 2, Earth 3 and GT-Line (the latter spec of my review car) Two different range variants are offered, the Standard model exclusively with a 58.3kWh battery with a 436km range, while the Long Range variant with up to 605km range is fitted with an 81.4kWh battery. Both models use a 150kW/283Nm electric motor that powers the front wheels and allows a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 170km/h. When I collected my car for my test drive days, the battery was charged to 99pc with 463kms of indicated range available. Kia claims a breakthrough in thermal management technology gives EV3 battery efficiency and charging time an edge over rivals, even in harsh conditions. 

The car can charge from 10pc to 80pc in around 30 minutes using a fast charger - a bit longer for the more powerful battery. You can just drive up to a charging point as the charger is located front right side. Standard spec includes 17-inch alloy wheels, screens, LED headlights, heated front seats and steering wheel, wireless phone charging and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Earth 3 features 19-inch alloys, vegan leather seats, power adjustable front seats and blind-spot collision avoidance. The range topping GT-Line adds special styling, power adjustable power tailgate and Vehicle-2-Load (V2L) to power external devices like laptops, small fridges, coffee machines or hairdryers. 

This family car was very quiet on the road with no wind noise and proved a very comfortable ride for all onboard. It was nippy with immediate torque from the off. However, I found the continuous beeps for the lane departure warning system to be obtrusive so turned it off. 

As of March 2025, the EV3 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP but a maximum 5-star safety rating is likely given all the top notch safety features onboard. EV3 comes with Kia’s seven year warranty. The entry level Earth 2 with 58.3 kWh battery is from €36,790 (after grants), my GT Line with the 82.4kWh battery is from €47,190.

 

New Kia EV6 now available in Ireland

First models of Kia’s new EV6 have landed in Ireland priced from €49,510, writes Trish Whelan. 

The significantly revised EV6 features a refreshed exterior design, a more luxurious and modern interior, improved battery performance and a broader range of convenience features including a new steering wheel and saw pad design, Kia’s next-generation infotainment system and connected car Navigation Cockpit with expanded over-the-air software updates and upgrades. 

The lineup for Ireland consists of Earth and GT-line (€54,300), specifications, both coming with the 84kWh battery as standard. The Earth model gets 19-inch alloys, vegan leather seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, power adjustable front memory seats, dual 12.3-inch dash screens, front and rear parking sensors, powered tailgate, adaptive smart cruise control, blind-spot collision avoidance, highway driving assist and high beam assist. The top GT-line adds its own styling features, 20-inch alloys, a glass sunroof, heated rear seats and highway driving assist 2 featuring lane change function. 

Since its launch in 2021, the EV6 has achieved over 3,000 sales in Ireland and was the first Korean car to win the European Car of the Year title in 2022, also winning the Irish Car of the Year title in the same year.

 

Kia EV3 arrives in Ireland

The new Kia EV3 is now available in Ireland at a starting price of €36,790, writes Brian Byrne. Following in the design theme of the EV9, the car comes in three trims and with choice from two batteries for the lowest specification.

The smaller 58.3kWh battery version has a rated range of 436km, while the long-range battery that's standard in the two higher spec cars is rated at up to 607km. Kia says an enhanced thermal management system gives the car an edge over rivals, and charging capability from 10 to 80 percent capacity in 29 minutes at appropriate high-speed charging units.

All EV3 owners will be offered a free home charging wallbox in association with Energia. 

Kia prices the EV3

Kia's latest electric car, the EV3, will arrive in Irish dealers in November at a starting price of €36,790, writes Brian Byrne. The car will fill out the brand's electric range of Niro EV, EV6 and EV9.

The car will be available with two battery sizes, offering rated ranges of up to  436km and 606km. A breakthrough charging speed is claimed compared to rival models.

There will be three grades, with the top of the range GT Line costing €47,190.

A 0pc finance will be available for the 251 registration period. 

Kia reveals EV3, a smaller version of EV9

Kia has revealed details of its new EV3, the company’s dedicated small compact EV SUV, writes Trish Whelan. 

Kia claims that innovative technology from the brand’s EV9 will set new standards in the compact EV SUV segment. 

EV3 appears to be a smaller model of the very large EV9 with many of that car’s styling cues. Boot capacity is a very decent 460 litres for a vehicle just 4.3 metres in length. Batteries are a 58.3 kWh unit which will deliver around 400km in range and an 81.4 kWh battery which Kia claims will deliver up to a 600km driving range. It will be able to charge from 10-80pc battery in 31 minutes. 

EV3 will arrive in Ireland in October. Pricing and specifications to be confirmed closer to launch.

 

Hinchy's named Kia European Dealer of the Year 2024

Hinchy’s, based on the Ennis Road in Limerick City, have been awarded Kia European Dealer of the Year 2024, writes Trish Whelan. This prestigious award was given exclusively to the best Kia dealers across Europe. 

Hinchy’s were among 25 European recipients from 1,900 dealerships and the sole Irish representative to receive the accreditation. 

Speaking at the award, Dealer Principal John Hinchy told how the family run business has been in Limerick since the 1970s. He thanked his entire team for their hard work and dedication to customers. 

Congratulating the dealership on their great achievement, Ronan Flood, Managing Director at Kia Ireland said: “John and all the team at Hinchy’s have worked very hard to achieve this award and are fully deserving of this recognition.”

Kia are currently Ireland’s fifth best-selling car brand.

 

Kia Ireland offering 48-hour EV test drives

Motorists interested in changing to electric cars can now avail of a 48-hour test drive of a Kia EV6 to get a proper feel of EV driving, writes Brian Byrne.

The initiative will run until the end of June and those interested can register their interest at Kia.com. Participation will be subject to availability and driver eligibility criteria, and applicants will be contacted directly with confirmation from their local Kia dealer.

The scheme is designed to answer all questions which potential EV buyers have, as well as dispelling myths and misinformation about electric vehicles.

"There are EV sceptics out there, many of which have never actually driven an electric vehicle," says Cathal Kealey, Head of Marketing & PR at Kia Ireland. "We believe this campaign can benefit anyone looking to change their car this year."

The Kia EV9 large SUV was recently awarded the title of World Car of the Year 2024.

 

Kia EV9 wins World Car of the Year

The Kia EV9 has won both the 2024 World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle titles, writes Brian Byrne. The win was revealed during the New York Auto Show.

The World Car of the Year Awards were established in 2003. The winners are chosen by a jury of 100 automotive journalists representing 29 countries.

The latest wins add to a list of other awards for the car, including the ‘Family Cars’ category of the Golden Steering Wheel Awards, the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, 'Best Premium SUV' at the 2023 Newsweek Autos Awards and Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY).

WATCH: Kia EV9, Driven in Two Minutes 

READ: Kia EV9 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car 

Kia EV9, Driven in Two Minutes

The Kia EV9 is perhaps the biggest EV statement in Ireland to date, both in style and size. A large beast by any measure, it leaves behind in the ICE age even the Range Rover Sport and the BMW X5. Brian Byrne gives his two-minute take on it. A Rough & Ready Production for Irish Car.

Kia EV9 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

The Kia EV9 is perhaps the biggest EV statement in Ireland to date, both in style and size, writes Brian Byrne. A large beast by any measure, it leaves behind in the ICE age even the Range Rover Sport and the BMW X5.

Available in both 6- and 7-seat formats, the price point will limit numbers sold here, but automotive market history has shown us there's a space for every model in any market segment, and this Kia will be in a very high-profile space on St Patrick's Day when it will showcase in the Dublin Parade.

First sight of the EV9 impacts particularly in its angular shape. If it seems a bit on the architecturally brutalist side, a scan over upcoming large cars from other makers suggests this is actually on trend, as edgy and slab-side sheetmetal styling seems to be leaving an era of softer lines behind. One immediate result is for this writer a bonus, as getting in and out for a tall driver is not a head-banging hardship, which I've found all too much an issue in recent years. 

That first look in the metal may have an immediate impact on the visual senses, but I very quickly got fond of it. The front is stylistically individual, unlike anything else in the market here — though you can see similar details in some startup competitor electric cars in the US, where there's a lot of interest in this particular Kia. The uncompromising stance of the car is added to by massive 21-inch wheels.

The lights both front and rear stand out as style details in a panel-work design that is remarkably clean of fancy sculpting. Front and rear overhangs are short, and a visibly long wheelbase promises a lot of space inside. A promise fulfilled. My review car had the 6-seat configuration, with a space between the two middle ones which could be 'walked-through' to access the pair in the rear. The other reason for the 6-seat option is that the two middle ones can be rotated to face rearwards in a lounge-like configuration, making it a mobile chat-room for four passengers.

The sense of bigness continues right the interior style and fittings. The driver's instrumentation and the infotainment screen are all integrated in a wide digital unit with bright and clear graphics. The key climate controls for on the run use are by physical switching, a big plus for any of us concerned by driver distraction. However, as is now the case in so many new cars, many of the 'Driver Assistance' systems are big distractions in themselves. I developed a 'pre-flight' drill of adjusting their always-default 'beep' settings to silence before every drive.

A large armrest and storage unit divides the front seats, the back end of which provides an extendable storage and table unit for the middle occupants. The review car was the top end GT-Line version, which included such fripperies as a massage driver's seat and heating-cooling of seats front and rear. Periodically my car went into a sequence on its own, kneading my back in a number of ways. I could probably have done without it, but it wasn't disruptive, and I had other things to be learning. There's a lot of stuff to be learned in cars today, often not intuitive — the more widgets and gadgets, the more you have to spend time working out.

The powertrain in the EV9 runs from a 99.8kWh battery. Yep, that's a big battery, that takes a bit of charging time. But where the charge unit has the capacity, it will pump in 249km in 15 minutes — though I don't know of any here with that ability. The output in my AWD version totalled 384hp. This is a 2.6-tonne car, yet capable of hitting 100km/h in a crazy 5.3 seconds.

I had an unusually extended chance to get a handle on the EV9's capabilities, in very diverse conditions. The comfort was excellent. The handling a surprise for such a big vehicle, even when my Google Maps diverted me across some of the worst roads in Ireland on the way home from a necessary visit to the west of the country. The range, an accurate 395km over my time hustling on motorways and floating over the bumpy and cracked roads across the Bog of Allen. Energy consumption was 25kWh/100km.

It's a car too big for my needs, but I got very attached to it. By coincidence, my son who lives in mid-state New York took delivery of one on the day I left mine back. Big car, small world.

PRICE: From €77,500; review car €85,500. WHAT I LIKED: Uncompromising style and extraordinary driving experience.

Kia showcases electric light vans range

Kia used the Computer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to preview a range of future light electric vans, writes Brian Byrne.

With CES becoming a very automotive-heavy showcase over recent years, the Korean carmaker unveiled five LCV concepts to be built on what the company calls the Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy. Kia is emphasising a range of customised vehicles for organisations and individuals with limited transportation options. 

For example, behind a fixed cab, or ‘driver zone’, a variety of interchangeable upper bodies can be connected to the base vehicle via a hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology, potentially turning the PBV into a taxi during the day, to a delivery van at night, and a personal recreational vehicle on weekends.

One of the models, the PV5, is slated to go into production next year. 

New Kia Sorento here in April 2024

Kia’s facelift 7-seat Sorento model will arrive in Ireland early next year, writes Trish Whelan. 

Available in diesel and petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV), diesel models will arrive here in April while PHEV models will come in July in time for the 242-registration period. 

The new Sorento features a strong design refresh including new technology, colours and sustainable materials while the new front end design features vertical headlights and new logo placement emphasising a bold SUV look. The rear features a refreshed taillight design and diagonal LEDs and updated bumper for a more rugged look. 

Two drivetrains will be offered, a 2.2 diesel engine coupled with an eight-speed dual clutch transmission while the petrol PHEV comes with a 1.6 T-GDI engine and a 13.8 kWh battery paired with a six-speed automatic transmission which also features 4WD as standard. Pricing and specification will be announced early in the new year.

 

Kia Ireland launches new EV9 flagship model

Kia Ireland has launched its all-electric EV9 SUV with a range of up to 563kms, writes Trish Whelan. It is the company’s first three-row electric flagship SUV available as a six or seven-seater. 

The exterior’s long, geometrically styled profile with clean lines also embraces the toughness of an SUV. This is a large vehicle with an overall length of 5,015mm, a wheelbase of 3,100mm, and overall height of 1,750mm. Minimum ground clearance is 177mm. 

The spacious interior continues the minimalist style with an easy-to-use layout. The boxy (but very stylish!) SUV styling and long wheelbase (and flat floor) allow for more interior room with premium lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats. Second-row seats have a swivel function and can be turned around to face the third row and directly interact with those seated behind. In this layout, the long sliding tray extending from the centre console, acts as a table in between the seats. 

Physical buttons more up and down for key infotainment functions. The dash consists of a curved 12.3-inch cluster in front of the driver, a 12.3-inch curved infotainment display screen with navigation. You also get a very informative Head-Up Display with route direction graphics. The boot offers 828 litres of storage space when 4/5 seats are upright, and up to 333 litres when 6/7 seats are upright. Up to ten items in the EV9 have been produced from sustainable materials. Earth and GT-Line interiors get vegan leather upholstery. Noise insulation includes sound-absorbing tyres, laminated sound insulation glass and sound absorbing carpets. 

The line-up consists of Earth and GT-Line models with Rear Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive. Both versions come with a 99.8kW battery featuring the company’s fourth-generation battery technology. The rear-wheel drive Earth model has a 150kW motor capable of a maximum torque output of 350 Nm, and providing an all-electric range of up to 563kms. The AWD GT-Line is powered by twin 141kW electric motors with max torque of 350 Nm and 350, front and rear, and a range of up to 505km (WLTP rated). 

Standard features for the Earth version include 19-inch alloys, screens already mentioned, fingerprint recognition, a 360deg surround view monitor, reversing camera, wireless mobile phone charger, and a whole array of top-end driver-assist and safety features that include nine airbags, blind spot monitor and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, standard on GT-Line, allows the vehicle to park itself in perpendicular, diagonal, and parallel parking spots. A feature of the EV9’s connectivity will be the option for owners to buy specific extra features with over-the-air software upgrades. Five exterior colours are offered. The EV9 has up to 2,500kg towing capacity. 

Ultra-fast charging can add up to 249km of driving range in 15 minutes. 

The Earth 7-seat RWD is priced at €77,500, the GT-Line 6-seat AWD at €85,500; the GT-Line 7-seat AWD €85,500. Wait time is around two-and-a-half months. 

EV9 competes in the E-SUV segment where main rivals include the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE, Audi Q8 e-tron, and Volvo’s EX90. 

Kia plan to sell one million BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) by 2026 of which 25pc will be electric-only models and 1.6 million by 2030 with 37pc 100pc electric models. An EV3 is due out next October, EV4 in Q1 2025 and EV5 in Q2 2025. 

An EV9 launch incentive pack consists of 3 free services, a free home charger, €500 home energy credit (Energia), 2-year Kia charge, Ionity Plus Package, a €500 Kia accessory voucher, 1.9pc APR finance, and a €500 SuperValu gift card. 

At yesterday’s launch, Kia Ireland Managing Director Ronan Flood (pictured below with the EV9) told how the Irish company is currently transforming its dealerships to raise the profile of the brand around the country. Year-to-date over 9,000 Kias have been registered with Sportage the second best-selling car. Mr Flood is hopeful of increasing this figure to 10,000 units next year. Kia Ireland currently enjoys a 7.5pc market share in Ireland.  

Kia Ireland helping with coastal cleanups here

Kia Ireland has got involved with the Clean Coasts initiative to promote circular economy initiatives, writes Brian Byrne. Clean Coasts, an initiative led by An Taisce, is a network of volunteers committed to the protection of Ireland's beaches, seas, and marine life. 

The collaboration will support beach cleanup initiatives and explore innovative ways to transform collected waste into new resources.

Cathal Kealey, Head of Marketing & PR at Kia Ireland, notes that by 2030 Kia will have 20pc of all vehicle plastics coming from recycled materials. "Our EV9 which will launch in Ireland in the coming weeks uses ten sustainable items in vehicle production, that have either originated from recycled plastic, or have been sourced from plant-based materials," he says. "We are delighted to support Clean Coasts and to assist them in finding ways to reuse collected beach waste in line with our circular economy initiatives.” 

Cathal Kealey is pictured with Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager at Clean Coasts, and Liane Costello, Campaigns Officer at Clean Coast. 

Prices and specifications revealed for Kia EV9

Kia Ireland has revealed prices and specifications for the new EV9 due to arrive in Ireland in November, writes Brian Byrne.

The SUV format car is the brand's first EV with three rows of seats, which can be configured in either six or seven seats.

Prices will start at €77,500 and there will be a GT-Line grade at €85,500.

The target driving range for the car is 563km, and where ultra-fast charging is available, 249km of range can be added in 15 minutes.

There's a strong emphasis on sustainability, with alternatives to leather and the use of biomaterials and recycled plastic. 

Kia helps with ocean plastic pollution clearance

A new record for reclaiming plastic dumped in the world's oceans has been set by The Ocean Cleanup, a global partner of the Kia car company, writes Brian Byrne.

Some 55 tons of ocean plastic from the 1.6 million square kilometre Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been delivered to Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada. The plastics will be recycled with a proportion to be used in future Kia models.

The GPGP is a 1.6-million-square kilometre area of plastic refuse and The Ocean Cleanup is scaling up its mission to remove 90pc of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

Kia is committed to more a than 20pc increase in plastic reuse by 2030 and achievement of carbon neutrality by 2045.