Kia Motors has taken a significant step forward in its sustainability efforts with the unveiling of the EV2, a B-segment electric SUV concept car that showcases the company’s commitment to eco-friendly bio-based materials. The vehicle made its debut at the 2025 Kia EV Day event in Barcelona, Spain, marking a new era in Kia’s approach to sustainable automotive design.
Kia has partnered with Swiss cleantech firm Bcomp, American advanced materials startup Simplifyber, and bio-based design company Biomyc to integrate innovative, environmentally friendly materials into the EV2. This initiative aligns with Kia’s sustainability strategy and reflects the automaker’s vision for future eco-friendly vehicle design.
Bcomp’s contribution comes in the form of ampliTex, a linen-based composite material applied to the EV2’s rear seat shell and front seat structure. This lightweight, durable material offers excellent recyclability and reusability, building on Kia’s previous experiences with the EV3 and EV4 concept cars.
Simplifyber, a startup based in Raleigh, North Carolina, has provided its cellulose-based Fybron material for the dashboard and door panels. Produced using a liquid-based manufacturing process, Fybron combines wood pulp, lyocell, natural rubber latex, bio-based binders, and synthetic fibers. This innovative material not only reduces waste but also simplifies assembly with its pre-shaped forms and woven textures.
Biomyc has contributed mycelium-based materials extracted from mushrooms for EV2’s interior insulation and visual design elements. The company worked closely with Kia’s European design center to match Pantone color specifications and conducted over 180 sample tests, along with research on sustainable coatings and additives, to ensure the material’s viability for future Kia designs.
Nathalie Bucher, Kia’s Chief Designer for Color, Material, and Finish at the European design center, emphasized the company’s goal of bringing sustainable material solutions to the mass market. Bucher said that each of their partners provides materials that align perfectly with their vision for the future of automotive design.
In related news, Kia recently enhanced the EV3’s infotainment features through an over-the-air update, including the addition of an AI voice assistant. This development underscores Kia’s commitment to continually improving its electric vehicle lineup.
