The Kia EV2, the automaker’s small, reasonably priced electrical crossover, has been noticed on the road in camouflage. It’s the primary time the mannequin has been seen within the wild, though the EV2 is just not at the moment confirmed for the US.

The timing of the sighting is especially important given latest information that Tesla could have canned its plans for a $25,000 mass-market “Mannequin 2” automobile. Elon Musk reportedly mothballed the reasonably priced EV in favor of going all in on the corporate’s plans for a completely autonomous robotaxi.

Many EV producers over time have promised to construct low-cost electrical vehicles for the lots, however not many have gone past the idea desk. Chinese language automakers have launched quite a lot of extraordinarily low-cost EVs, like BYD $11,500 Seagull, however none can be found within the US due to excessive tariffs.

Kia and sister automaker Hyundai have launched a number of competitively priced EVs utilizing its shared E-GMP platform, together with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 and Kia EV6 and EV9. Kia’s EV6, specifically, has been successful within the US and stands by itself as a viable different to Tesla’s Mannequin 3 and Y.

Kia’s EV9 launched earlier this yr and is garnering mass curiosity from those that want three rows of seating and need to transfer to electrical. Kia is additionally planning a smaller crossover SUV with the EV3 and an reasonably priced sedan with the EV4 later this yr. In the meantime, the EV5, a smaller model of the EV9, has launched in China.