Electric trucks are the hottest topic in the auto world right now, said Kia 417, a high-volume Canadian dealer, with the automaker officially confirming it will bring a full-electric pickup truck to North America. The move is a pointed shot over the bow of the competitive midsize pickup market, dominated for years by internal combustion behemoths such as the Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator.
The automaker made the announcement at its 2025 CEO Investor Day, where it unveiled that the truck would ride on an E-GMP purpose built Electric-Global Modular Platform. The platform, which supports successful models such as the Kia EV6 and future EV9, is set to combine city versatility with robust outdoors capability. The truck will provide “segment-leading space for people and their cargo,” according to Kia, as well as sophisticated infotainment systems, strong towing ability, and real off-road ability.
CEO Ho Sung Song also went on to explain in the Seoul Mobility Show that the electric truck will not take on large models such as the Ford F-150 Lightning. Instead, it is aimed at taking on midsize rivals like the Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator. That positioning is a sign that Kia is willing to establish a niche in a market that does not have many electric alternatives.
Kia’s approach is ambitious to the level of audacity. The firm plans to sell 90,000 units a year in North America, holding a 7% market share in the midsize truck market. To place some context around this, the Ford F-150 Lightning, which is an electric full-size pickup truck, managed to sell barely more than 30,000 units in 2024. Liz Najman, market insights director at Recurrent, referred to the hurdle when she commented, “By most accounts, it’s an ambitious sales goal to hit for a vehicle that’ll represent Kia’s first attempt at appeasing the US truck buyer market.” She went on further to comment that the success of Kia’s eGMP-based vehicles, with sales of more than 100,000 units in 2024, provides a comforting precedent.
The truck’s details, though not yet locked in, suggest a model that will compete with gasoline and electric counterparts. A 300 to 335 mile estimated driving range per charge places it on par with the Ford F-150 Lightning and ahead of most midsize gas pickups. Towing capacity will likely be 10,000 pounds with a payload rating of around 3,000 pounds. These numbers place the truck in a favorable position with contractors, adventurers, and fleet operators alike.
Kia’s E-GMP platform also has world-class charging technology. Depending on what the EV6 can do, the truck should be capable of taking ultra-fast charging, from 10% to 80% of its pack in less than 25 minutes with a 350 kW DC fast charger. Dual-motor all-wheel-drive setups should provide EV6 GT-like performance, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in less than five seconds.
Where the truck will be manufactured is anybody’s guess. Kia has suggested U.S.-based manufacturing to steer clear of the 25% “Chicken Tax” on foreign-imported pickups. The likely sites are Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, which has just started producing EVs such as the Ioniq 5, or Kia’s current Georgia factory. Both plants are strategically located to supply North American demand while evading import tariffs.
Most importantly, the pickup truck under consideration can borrow styling cues from the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Santa Cruz. That camo test mule that turned up in California last year seemed to sport EV9 headlights and mirrors, and taillights inspired by the Santa Cruz. That combination of pieces speaks to a truck that takes Kia’s current design language and injects it with the off-road-ness that would be available with a midsize truck.
The cost of the electric truck is expected to range around $45,000 to $55,000 USD, positioning it as a solid competitor in the midsize EV market. It will be undercut by competitors such as the Rivian R1T and Chevrolet Silverado EV, but provide new features and functionality. Canadian consumers will receive extra EV rebates lowering the cost of the truck further.
Kia’s move into electric pickup trucks is one aspect of its larger plan to have 14 models in its EV lineup by 2027. That includes light commercial vehicles such as the PV5 van. CEO Ho Sung Song believes diversification is “an opportunity” and not a risk, given the brand’s focus on innovation and sustainability.
The arrival of Kia’s electric truck may also have ripple effects across the industry. By pursuing the midsize segment, Kia is responding to a void in the EV arena that has been filled by full-size models as the headliners. That action may win over buyers looking for a lower-cost, more compact alternative to larger electric pickups.
As the auto industry shifts electric, Kia’s e-pickup is a major milestone. With its mix of capability, tech, and aggressive pricing, the truck is poised to turn the midsize segment’s assumptions on their head. Whether it will do that with its aggressive sales projections remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Kia is not just entering the electric truck space—it’s bound to dominate the market.
For additional coverage, visit Motor1’s coverage of Kia’s electric truck, CNET’s insights on the announcement, and Kia 417’s detailed breakdown.
