Kia Tasman to Launch with Range Extender Powertrain to Solve Electric Truck Towing Challenges

Kia confirmed it will produce its first midsize pickup truck with a dual-pathway electric strategy. The vehicle, named the Tasman, will include a battery electric version and an extended range electric vehicle version. Hosung Song, the Chief Executive Officer of Kia, confirmed the production plans during recent interviews with trade publications and at the Jeddah International Motor Show in Saudi Arabia. The Tasman is scheduled to begin production in South Korea in late 2026 with a global rollout starting in 2027. This strategy marks a shift for the automaker as it attempts to address the loss of range that pure electric trucks experience when towing heavy trailers.

An extended range electric vehicle, often called an EREV or a range extender, uses a small internal combustion engine as an onboard generator. This engine does not turn the wheels directly. Instead, it generates electricity to charge the battery while the vehicle is in motion. This configuration allows the truck to operate as an electric vehicle in most conditions while relying on gasoline to maintain battery levels during long trips or while hauling cargo. According to technical data released by Kia at the Jeddah event on October 29, 2024, the initial combustion versions of the Tasman will feature a 2.2 liter diesel engine or a 2.5 liter gasoline engine. The electric and range-extender versions will follow these initial releases.

Range availability is a primary concern for pickup truck buyers who use vehicles for work. Kia targets a total range of over 500 miles for the range-extender variant when fully fueled and charged. Pure battery electric trucks often see their driving range drop by 50 percent or more when towing a trailer at highway speeds. By using an engine as a generator, Kia aims to provide a consistent range regardless of the weight being pulled. This technical choice positions the Tasman against upcoming competitors like the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, which also uses a generator to extend the range of an electric drivetrain.

The Tasman uses a body-on-frame architecture. This means the vehicle body is mounted on a rigid steel frame, which is a standard construction method for trucks designed for off-road use and heavy utility. Kia Global Media Center documents show the Tasman has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, or approximately 7,716 pounds. The payload capacity is rated at 1,195 kilograms. The cargo bed measures 1,512 millimeters in length and 1,572 millimeters in width. These dimensions place the Tasman in direct competition with the Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux in international markets.

Market availability for the Tasman will begin in South Korea in the first half of 2025 with diesel and gasoline engines. Kia Australia, the regional division for the brand, confirmed the truck will arrive in Australian showrooms shortly after the Korean launch. The electric and range-extender versions are expected to enter production in late 2026. Kia has not officially confirmed a launch date for the United States market. If Kia exports the Tasman to the United States from South Korea, it would be subject to the Chicken Tax. This is a 25 percent tariff on light trucks imported into the United States. To avoid this cost, the company would need to manufacture the vehicle at its plant in West Point, Georgia.

Safety systems in the Tasman include several driver assistance technologies. A press release from Kia dated October 2024 lists lane keeping assist, blind spot collision warning, and a remote parking assistant as standard or available features. The truck also includes a ground view monitor that shows the area directly under the vehicle during off-road driving. The interior features a 12.3 inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3 inch center touchscreen. Kia has designed the cabin with a fold-out console table to allow owners to use a laptop while the vehicle is parked.

Several facts about the electric versions remain unknown. Kia has not released the specific battery capacity in kilowatt-hours for the pure electric or the range-extender models. The company has not announced the horsepower or torque figures for the electric motors. Pricing for all Tasman variants remains unannounced. Kia typically releases pricing closer to the physical arrival of vehicles at dealerships. Potential buyers in North America must wait for a formal announcement regarding local production before knowing if the Tasman will be sold in that region. The current focus for the Tasman remains on the Korean, Australian, and Middle Eastern markets where midsize trucks represent a large portion of annual sales volume.