The electric commercial vehicle Kia from South Korea can travel 131 miles per charge.
The rapidly expanding market for electric pickups is represented by entries such as the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning. If you are looking at South Korean markets, Kia can be added to this list. The Bongo 3EV is a work truck that has fold-down sides to accommodate the bed and can carry a 1-ton load. The Asian Petrolhead Youtube channel gives you a tour of this model.
The Bongo 3 Electric Motor produces 181 horsepower (135 Kilowatts) and 291 pound-feet (395 Newton meters) . The truck has two batteries that can be seen from the outside. They have a total power output of 58.8 Kilowatt-hours. According to the South Korean evaluation, it has a range of 131 miles (211 km). A 100-kW fast charger takes 54 minutes to charge the battery from 0 to 80 per cent.
Instead of driving the wheels directly there is a shaft that drives the power to the rear wheels. The back has a dual-wheel setup that uses a pair of small tires.
According to the video host, this is the Bongo 3 EV in a higher trim. It would cost around $36,000 in the US. The actual price of the vehicle is reduced by $16,000 from the South Korean government.
This Bongo 3 Electric Vehicle is new inside. The seats and steering wheel are still covered in plastic. Although the cabin is not luxurious, it makes sense as a work vehicle. However, modern tech such as a touchscreen infotainment systems are available.
A curious quirk is the fact that the engine access area remains underneath the passenger seat. The only visible things down there, besides the coolant tank or radiator, is the absence of a powerplant.
The Bongo 3EV does not have a frunk, as you can see from the passenger compartment and front overhang. A small panel can be opened to reveal a storage area for the jack or the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The Bongo 3 Electric Vehicle is unlikely to be available in the US any time soon. A recent report suggests that Kia is working on an electric pickup for this market. It could be available as early as 2024.