Thousands of vehicles currently on sale across the UK are powered by engines of varying sizes and driven by a range of fuel types. Yet the automotive world is ultimately a meritocracy, and some cars simply outshine others. The Kia Picanto has featured prominently in numerous best-buy lists for city cars, regularly placing in the top three across several motoring publications.

However, past success is no guarantee of a secure future, as reports have indicated that Kia may choose not to produce a replacement for its accomplished city car. According to Auto Express, the manufacturer has acknowledged that while the vehicle is a strong product, it may simply be too compact to accommodate hybrid technology, rendering it ill-suited to Kia’s increasingly electrified model range.

The head of Kia’s global operations division told the respected motoring publication that it was the engineering challenges of cramming additional electrical components into the car that presented the greatest obstacle.

Nevertheless, they confirmed that adjustments would be made to ensure the much-loved city car would comply with the latest Euro 7 emissions standards, and that the firm would continue refining the model to remain competitive.

The Kia Picanto would not be the first compact city car to face the axe, with the Hyundai i10 also set for discontinuation. Slightly larger city cars, such as the Fiat 500, are better placed to survive as they offer sufficient room to house hybrid systems.

The announcement arrives four years ahead of the next phase of the UK’s ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle) mandate. From 2030, every petrol and diesel-powered vehicle must incorporate some form of hybrid technology. By 2035, every new car sold must be fully electric.

Yet with the pace of change failing to match the Government’s targets, fears are growing that the mandate may need to be pushed back to 2040.

While turmoil in the Middle East has sparked a surge of interest in electric vehicles, industry bodies such as the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) have cautioned that the transition is not progressing swiftly enough.

In a statement accompanying the latest sales figures — which marked the two millionth electric car sold in the UK — chief executive Mike Hawes offered a sobering assessment of the new data.

He said: “April’s rebound is welcome, but underlines just how significantly fiscal changes can influence the market. Two million electric car registrations is a considerable milestone to celebrate, although natural demand is still well below the level demanded by the mandate.

“The mounting cost of compliance threatens to limit consumer choice, overall decarbonisation and the sector’s competitiveness so the need for a rapid review of the transition to align policy with market realities is unchanged, else Britain’s attractiveness as a vehicle market and manufacturing hub will be put at risk.”

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