Electric vehicle adoption in South Korea has accelerated dramatically in 2025, with sales climbing nearly 50% in the first eight months compared to the same period in 2024, according to newly released industry data.
The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) reported Monday that EV sales reached 142,456 units between January and August, a substantial increase from the 95,988 units sold during the same timeframe last year. This surge has pushed EVs to represent 12.7% of all newly registered vehicles in the country, marking a 3.8 percentage point increase year-over-year.
New Models Drive Market Expansion
Industry analysts attribute the remarkable growth to an influx of new electric models entering the Korean market. Tesla's introduction of the Model Y in May has been particularly influential, while domestic manufacturers Hyundai Motor and Kia have expanded their lineups with more budget-friendly electric options.
Domestic production has proven especially strong, with locally manufactured EVs seeing a 48.2% increase to 86,777 units, capturing approximately 61% of the market share. Meanwhile, imported electric vehicles experienced similar growth at 48.6%, totaling 55,679 units sold.
Notably, Chinese-manufactured models, including Tesla's Model Y produced in China, now account for nearly 70% of all imported EV sales in South Korea.
Kia Launches Latest Electric SUV
Adding momentum to the market's growth, Kia unveiled its newest electric offering on September 3 – the EV5 compact electric SUV. This marks the company's fifth dedicated battery-electric vehicle and represents a strategic push into both domestic and international markets, with planned exports to Europe and Canada.
Built on Hyundai Motor Group's advanced E-GMP platform, the EV5 showcases Kia's "Opposites United" design philosophy, blending angular bodywork with flowing curves. The vehicle offers substantial practicality with 965 liters of cargo capacity and features an 81.4 kWh NCM battery system paired with a 160-kilowatt front-wheel-drive motor.
The South Korean version of the EV5, which will be manufactured at Kia's Gwangju facility, has been specifically tailored to meet local consumer preferences and regulatory requirements, distinguishing it from the variant previously launched in China. The model utilizes battery technology from Chinese supplier CATL rather than South Korean battery manufacturers.
As the electric vehicle market continues its rapid expansion in South Korea, the combination of increased model availability, competitive pricing, and strong domestic production capabilities suggests this growth trajectory may continue through the remainder of 2025 and beyond.