Seoul: Kia Corp., South Korea's second-biggest carmaker, achieved record electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe during the first quarter, as revealed by recent data.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kia sold 27,761 EVs in the European market from January to March, marking a 17 percent increase from the previous record set in the third quarter of 2023. This surge in sales resulted in EVs making up more than 20 percent of Kia's total vehicle sales in Europe for the first time.

The increase in sales was driven by the Kia EV3, a compact electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), which sold 17,878 units in the first quarter. This model accounted for 64 percent of Kia's total EV sales during this period.

Sales of EVs are on the rise in Europe, with 573,500 cars sold in the first quarter, reflecting a 28 percent increase from the same period last year, based on data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Kia plans to expand its EV offerings by launching the new EV4, EV5, and PV5 models in the European market this year.