To develop vehicles that will reduce their impact on the environment, Kia established four R&D directives for the Environmental Technology Research Center to head its research and ecofriendly efforts. The four directives are as follows.

  1. To develop alternative fuel vehicles and expand eco-friendly technology.
  2. To develop efficient engines, exhaust systems and transmissions that reduce gas emissions.
  3. To improve fuel economy through the application of new technology and lightweight bodies.
  4. To increase recycling based on LCA. (Life Cycle Assessment)

Improvements in Fuel Economy

Improvements in fuel economy reduce climate change by saving energy and utilising energy effectively. The industrial development boom brought increased fossil fuel usage while diminishing fossil fuel reserves. It also led to fossil fuel prices increasing and accelerated global warming. This has led to Kia’s focus on efficiently utilising limited energy.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Fossil fuels are considered a major accelerant of global warming, discharging large amounts of air contaminants, such as CO2, in the combustion process. These fossil fuels are natural resources with limited reserves, so the development of vehicles with alternative fuels has become even more necessary. In the effort to create an alternative fuel vehicle, Kia is currently designing mass-produced hybrid electric vehicles, which combine electric and fossil fuel powered engines. As a mid-long term strategy, Kia will focus on developing fuel cell vehicles with zero greenhouse gas emissions to replace current fossil fuel vehicles.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles

The Kia Rio Hybrid is another vehicle that Kia has designed for the wellbeing of the environment. Running a hybrid petrol/electric powertrain and featuring lightweight components the Kia Rio Hybrid is capable of significantly reducing both air pollutants and improving fuel efficiency compared to the standard vehicle.

LPI Hybrid Electric Vehicle Development

In 2009, Kia will release the LPI-HEV, which utilizes both LPG fuel that emits lower air pollutants and LPI engine technology developed through pilot programs. LPI HEV combines benefits of legacy vehicles fueled by LPG with those of the hybrid system to ensure high fuel economy and eco-friendliness. LPI HEV will become a contributing factor to the national energy policy for diversifying national energy sources. The Korean Ministry of Environment, a government body in charge of supplying HEV, disclosed a plan to promote the use of HEV by giving various tax breaks when these vehicles enter the commercial market in 2009. Kia is actively researching advanced HEV technology and expanding mass production.

Fuel Cell Vehicles

Today’s world faces stringent environmental regulations due to air pollution and global warming so alternative energy sources are additionally being explored to replace diminishing fossil fuels. No matter how advanced a fossil fuel powered vehicle may be, it cannot avoid emissions of air pollutants. Fundamental eco-friendly solutions are in the development of vehicles that do not use any fossil fuels. Fuel cell vehicles that utilize alternative energy are gaining in popularity. They are considered as the model vehicle for future generations since they pose no threat to the environment and no risk of exhausting natural energy resources.

Fuel cell vehicles utilise electrical chemical energy generated from a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the air. Because this reaction uses sustainable fuel and produces only water as its by-product, it solves both the environmental and alternative energy source problem at the same time. With the belief that fuel cell vehicles will be the future of the automotive industry, automotive companies around the world are investing heavily in the development and commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. Kia Motors is no exception as it strives to lead the fuel cell vehicle market and further its R&D initiatives with its already advanced technology.

Today’s world faces stringent environmental regulations due to air pollution and global warming so alternative energy sources are additionally being explored to replace diminishing fossil fuels. No matter how advanced a fossil fuel powered vehicle may be, it cannot avoid emissions of air pollutants. Fundamental eco-friendly solutions are in the development of vehicles that do not use any fossil fuels. Fuel cell vehicles that utilize alternative energy are gaining in popularity. They are considered as the model vehicle for future generations since they pose no threat to the environment and no risk of exhausting natural energy resources. Fuel cell vehicles utilise electrical chemical energy generated from a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the air. Because this reaction uses sustainable fuel and produces only water as its by-product, it solves both the environmental and alternative energy source problem at the same time. With the belief that fuel cell vehicles will be the future of the automotive industry, automotive companies around the world are investing heavily in the development and commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. Kia Motors is no exception as it strives to lead the fuel cell vehicle market and further its R&D initiatives with its already advanced technology.

Fuel Cell Vehicle Development

Our 80 kW fuel cell stack was assembled into the engine room of the Sportage and secured a life span of more than 1,500 hours when tested in real road conditions. We have also developed fuel cell buses which can reach a total driving distance of 300 km with only one fuel charge.

Reduction in Resource Usage and Recycling Improvements

Kia is continually focusing on developing technologies that utilise alternative resources and recycle whenever possible. To establish a recycling society within our plants, we apply eco-friendly concepts to every phase of our product development. We actively evaluate every product through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Eco-efficiency Evaluation to achieve optimum waste recycling efficiency.  LCA has been standardized internationally and as a result of Total Car LCA, our Mohave (Borrego), which debuted in January 2008, was evaluated to be more eco-friendly than any other vehicle in the same grade.

Biofuel Vehicles

Biofuel is fuel extracted from the energy created or emitted from biomass, which is material derived from recently dead biological material, including plants, animals and their by-products. Unlike fossil fuels, biofuel is perpetually recyclable and considered pure, clean energy since it does not cause environmental pollutants. The development of vehicles powered by biofuel is critical for automotive makers in order to maintain a sustainable future

Bio Diesel was the first commercialised fuel to substitute petrol through the Korean government’s mid-long term distribution plans. From July 2006, as a voluntary agreement between oil refineries and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, 0.5% of bio diesel were added into petrol. In 2007, the oil refinery industry had expanded its consumption to around 90,000 tons of bio diesel. In January 2008, bio diesel in petrol increased to 1%, and this ratio will increase in phases up to 3%, which will consume 540,000 tons of bio diesels by 2012. Kia adopted technology to utilize BD5 (gasoline containing less than 5% of Biodiesel) in its vehicles. In a joint effort with the government-owned Energy Technology Research Center, Kia tested the BD5 modified Kia Sorento on actual road conditions over a long term basis to verify the system’s efficiency. All New Zealand Kia diesels are applicable for 5% Bio Diesel (BD5).

Bio Ethanol Vehicles

At the end of 2007, the Korean government began distributing 330,000 litres of Bio Ethanol fuel in two types, E3 (Bio Ethanol 3% + petrol 97%) and E5 (Bio Ethanol 5%+ petrol 95%). When fuels are substituted with Bio Ethanol, CO2 emissions will be Zero Count and an octane rating (1) of petrol will be enhanced by the ethanol mixture, as outlined in the Kyoto protocol. A study indicated that octane increased two to three grades when 10% of ethanol (E10) is added into gasoline. Kia already implemented current vehicles to utilize petrol that contains up to 10% of ethanol. Kia is also on course to develop Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) which can adapt to ethanol containing fuel or other bio-mixed fuels in specific proportions. All petrol Kia vehicles in New Zealand meet the E10 criteria.