Kia’s stand at the 2025 Smart Energy Expo attracted high levels of engagement, with General Manager Fleet, Chris Forbes, highlighting the event’s knowledgeable audience and strong fleet interest in the all-electric Kia models.
Held by the Smart Energy Council, the Expo brings together experts and professionals from across the alternative energy landscape. Forbes noted that this made for more advanced and productive conversations than those typically seen at traditional automotive shows.
“You’ve got everyone in this room who is already up to speed with what’s happening in the alternative energy and alternative fuel arena,” Forbes said. “So some of those difficult questions we are often asked, they already know the answers to. The discussions… are probably a little bit more deep than what we would experience at other more traditional automotive shows.”
This environment provided a valuable opportunity for Kia to showcase the EV5 and EV3—two new electric SUVs that balance modern technology with market-ready practicality. Importantly, the stand itself was powered by the vehicles on display, offering a live demonstration of their bidirectional charging capabilities.
One of the key features that we’ve got here is the fact that our stand is powered by these vehicles,” Forbes explained. “What that’s showing people is some of the technology that’s available… and I think a lot of people have seen these designs, and because they’re the more mass market type vehicles at a price point that is more accessible by more people, then they are very interested.
However, when it comes to fleet buyers, the EV5 appears to have the edge over its smaller sibling, the EV3. “The EV5 will probably gravitate towards more the fleet vehicle,” Forbes said. “It’s in that medium SUV segment, which is the biggest passenger segment in Australia… probably going to be more practical for fleets.”
The Smart Energy Expo served as an ideal venue for this kind of feedback. As Forbes put it, “It’s been great catching up with some customers and potential customers and people that want to talk about technology.” The deeper conversations and focused interest indicate that events like this are increasingly important in connecting EV manufacturers with fleet buyers who are looking for real-world solutions to electrify their operations.
