Kia announced on June 10 that its EV6 has achieved product carbon footprint certification and ‘Carbon Measured’ label from the global climate change and sustainability consultancy the Carbon Trust, becoming the first Korean vehicle manufacturer to achieve the certificate.

Electrification is at the forefront of the company's strategy, with 11 new battery-electric vehicles coming by 2026. The EV6 is the first model to be launched under this new strategy.

The EV6 is Kia's first dedicated EV, built on Kia’s all-new Electric-Global Modular Platform, with a goal to measure and reduce its carbon footprint through the acquisition of raw materials; procurement of parts; transportation of parts; vehicle assembly, distribution, use, and end-of-life recycling.

The manufacturer says the EV6 offers one of the best all-electric ranges on the market with 800V ultra-fast charging. A range of eco-friendly materials are included in the vehicle's cabin — PET recycled plastics, floor mats, and seat coverings — meaning one model contains the equivalent of 107 500ml PET bottles.

The EV6 delivers up to an estimated 300-miles of all-electric range, vehicle-to-load functionality, and a flat-floor interior with a wide array of advanced driver assistance systems.

Total greenhouse gas emissions for the EV6 were measured using the PAS2050 Standards as part of the Carbon Trust’s robust product assessment. This covers emissions from the extraction of raw materials through to the end-of-life of the product and is measured in carbon dioxide equivalents. The Carbon Trust ‘Carbon Measured’ label validates the accuracy of these measurements and provides customers with independently reviewed information about the carbon impact of their purchase.

“This is important validation of a broad range of measures we are now taking to reduce the carbon footprint of a vehicle throughout its lifecycle,​" Sangdae Kim, head of strategic business planning division at Kia, said. "As we introduce more electrified models to our line up over the coming years, we will step up our sustainability efforts and ensure we are achieving high levels of transparency when it comes to environmental impact. It has been great to work closely with the Carbon Trust to achieve the Carbon Measured label as one of our first steps to implement new sustainability initiatives.”