Kia’s 100% electric goals don’t include Australia

South Korean automaker Kia has outlined its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, but its immediate electrification goals only target Europe and other “key global markets” and even its full electrification target for “major markets” by 2040 do not include Australia.

Announced during the Kia Sustainability Movement presentation, in which the company pledged to go fully electric in Europe by 2035, and in  “key global markets” by 2040.

However, according to a statement provided to Australian automotive magazine Drive, the 2040 electrification markets do not include Australia, due to a lack of emissions regulations and the associated fines imposed for failing to meet such regulations.

According to the Kia spokesperson, “At this time, we cannot confirm the target for Australia. Kia’s speed of electrification transition will be flexible in consideration of the local market situation.”

Despite Kia’s decision to focus only on countries and regions with existing policy infrastructure to support electric vehicles – the company’s efforts still lag other car manufacturers when it comes to the timeframe for its targets.

Kia’s 2045 carbon neutrality goal will see the company also reduce 97% of its 2019 level carbon emissions across all operational facets, from supply and logistics, vehicle production, as well as vehicle use and disposal of waste.

The state of balance between the company’s own carbon emissions reductions and that pesky 100% figure will be attained through additional offset measures.

“For us, it is not only about setting goals and reaching targets,” said Hosung Song, President and CEO of Kia.

“It is about setting a vision that will inspire others to join the movement to benefit humanity and protect the environment. In line with our vision of becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider, we commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.”

Kia is aiming to create a carbon emissions monitoring system for its partner companies by next year and will provide solutions to its suppliers based on the resulting gathered data.

A key element of this supply stage emissions reduction will be the use of green steel – steel produced using renewable electricity and minimising fossil fuels in the overall manufacturing process.

Kia’s plans to achieve zero emissions by 2045 across all aspects of its business including all production sites follows parent company Hyundai Motor Group and its key subsidiaries July plans to join the RE100 initiative.

This will see all Kia’s overseas sites using renewable electricity by 2030 and, by 2040, expanding to all Kia’s domestic business sites. The renewable electrification of Kia’s operations has already begun, as well, after the company’s Slovakia production facility transitioned to 100% green electricity.