Kia (000270.KS) will provide four electric vehicles, including two EV3 and two EV4 models, to the global nonprofit organization The Ocean Cleanup, the company said Wednesday.
The vehicles Kia provided will be used in The Ocean Cleanup's field operations to remove plastic waste from oceans and rivers. In particular, the two EV3 models provided this time were equipped with EV3-exclusive trunk liners (mats), a vehicle accessory made from ocean plastic waste. The EV3-exclusive trunk liner is a product made through collaboration between Kia and The Ocean Cleanup, using ocean plastic waste collected and extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
"The partnership with The Ocean Cleanup is a key pillar of Kia's sustainability strategy, and we have continued long-term innovation, including providing vehicles and seeking ways to utilize plastic waste," said Dante Zilli, marketing director at Kia Europe. "Through this collaboration, we are moving forward together toward a clean marine ecosystem and a responsible future."
Meanwhile, Kia has built a long-term partnership with The Ocean Cleanup since 2022, pursuing various forms of collaboration, including financial support, technology and research cooperation, and vehicle support, under the goal of removing 90% of ocean plastic waste by 2040.
