Kia Shifts Gears: Hybrid Models to Take Priority Under New CO2 Rules

Kia has become the first major car brand to confirm it will limit supply of less fuel-efficient petrol cars in response to Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). The move aims to steer customers toward hybrid models, helping Kia meet upcoming CO2 regulations and avoid significant fines.

Why Kia is Pulling Back on Non-Turbo Petrol Models

Starting July 1, 2024, Kia Australia will restrict dealer orders for certain non-turbo petrol models—like the V6 Sorento and four-cylinder Sportage—which have higher CO2 emissions. Instead, Kia will prioritize hybrid and diesel options, which offer lower emissions and better regulatory compliance.

Kia Australia’s Product Planning Manager, Roland Rivero, explained:

“We’d limit our dealers from ordering too many [high-emissions petrol models] and push them towards the diesels and hybrids, because it can’t just be all left up to EV3 and EV5 [electric cars] to do all the heavy lifting.”

This shift does not mean Kia is eliminating petrol models entirely. Instead, the brand will balance its sales mix to avoid government penalties while continuing to offer petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric options.

CO2 Regulations: How They Impact Kia’s Lineup

The NVES rules calculate CO2 targets based on vehicle weight, meaning lighter petrol vehicles face tougher restrictions. Kia’s current lineup shows a clear contrast in emissions impact:

🚗 Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 Petrol → Would add $6,200 per vehicle to Kia’s CO2 penalty. 🛻 Kia Sorento Diesel → Earns Kia a $600 CO2 credit, helping offset high-emission models. ⚡ Kia Sorento Hybrid → Provides $3,000–$3,800 in CO2 credit, significantly reducing penalties.

To comply with the NVES, Kia must sell two Sorento hybrids for every one V6 petrol Sorento just to balance out the emissions.

What This Means for Kia Buyers

Customers looking for V6 petrol models may face longer wait times or limited availability at dealerships. Meanwhile, Kia is expanding its hybrid range to offer more options:

✅ Sorento Hybrid → Now available across S, Sport, and Sport+ trims. ✅ Carnival Hybrid → New S and Sport+ trims joining the GT-Line. ✅ Sportage Hybrid → AWD variants joining the SX and GT-Line FWD models.

These expanded hybrid options will hit Australian showrooms within the next six months, offering more fuel-efficient alternatives for buyers.

Will Kia Go Hybrid-Only?

Kia Australia insists it will maintain a mix of petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric models. However, the long-term strategy remains flexible, particularly as its sister brand Hyundai has already phased out diesel options in the new Santa Fe.

“Naturally, over the course of time, we have to be dynamic enough to adjust to what we get given,” Rivero said.

With growing hybrid availability and shifting government policies, Kia buyers can expect a stronger emphasis on low-emission options moving forward.

Stay Ahead with Tynan Kia

At Tynan Kia, we’re here to help you navigate these industry changes and find the perfect vehicle for your needs. Whether you're considering a hybrid, diesel, or electric model, our team is ready to assist.

Visit us today to explore the latest fuel-efficient Kia models and stay ahead of the curve! 🚗⚡

Ensure you search the Tynan stock through our link here.

Credit: Drive.com.au