Kia releases further details on upcoming EV3 and EV4
20 November, 2023
Kia has unveiled further details regarding the interiors of the EV3 and EV4 concept vehicles and the game changing eco-friendly materials and methodologies used to create them, all of which will play an essential role in the brand’s transition to becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider. In creation of the interior of the Kia Concept EV3, Kia’s colour, materials and finish design team took inspiration from the element of Air with optimum use of light and transparency throughout the cabin
With the Kia Concept EV4, the team also utilised an array of innovative sustainable materials that reduce the vehicles environmental impact, provide greater design freedom and afford unprecedented levels of colour choice and trim finish.
Using Mycelium allows Kia to mimic the process seen in nature and leverage it to design more sustainable solutions as the material can be grown in any shape necessary without the use of a mould. Kia hopes that by growing their own materials, they will be able to simplify processes, adapt forms and be closer to nature in its essence.
In creation of the EV4’s cabin the team took inspiration from the element Earth. By applying natural dyes to 100 percent recycled cotton, through the use of madder roots and walnut shells, the team were able to take advantage of a near-endless range of tonalities and hues, courtesy of nature.
Determined to give the Concept EV4 cabin an ambience of sheer uniqueness and exceptional quality, Kia wove fabric stripes by hand and applied them to the car’s storage area and dashboard. This handcrafted approach creates a 3D effect as stunning and as beautiful in execution as the 3D knit finish used in the seat covers of the Concept EV3.
To elevate the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the Concept EV4’s console table, Kia’s team turned to hemp fibres as this is a rapidly growing plant that requires minimal resources to cultivate. The material is highly sustainable and also highly mouldable, making it a versatile material to work with while also enhancing the cabin with its beautiful rich colour.
While many of the materials and methodologies utilised in the EV3 and EV4 concept vehicles are a showcase of solutions that Kia are implementing at scale in future, the brand has a long history of integrating sustainable materials into its products, starting with the use of bioplastic and sugar cane fibre in the 2014 Soul EV.
When the EV9 was launched earlier this year, Kia further escalated its commitment to minimise the impact on the environment during production with the introduction of 10 must have sustainable items for all new Kia model lines. One of these items is bioplastic, produced from biomass sources such as vegetable oils, corn extract, sawdust and sugarcane. Bioplastic is now used in vehicle components such as dashboards, consoles, pillars and trim. Kia identified Bio Polyurethane (PU) as an optimal leather replacement, as the material incorporates plant-based components and provides exemplary support, cushioning and durability. Vehicle carpets can be created from 100 percent recycled PET and a proportion of this material is sourced from recycled fishing nets.
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