Kia and TotalEnergies: Powering the Next 15 Years of Mobility

SEOUL, South Korea – April 20, 2026 – As the automotive industry accelerates its historic shift toward electrification, Kia Corporation and French energy giant TotalEnergies are solidifying their long-standing alliance. The two companies have announced a five-year extension of their global partnership, a move that not only marks two decades of collaboration but strategically repositions their efforts to meet the demands of a new automotive era.

Effective April 1, 2026, this fourth consecutive renewal ensures that Kia's global dealership network will continue to be supplied with high-performance lubricants from TotalEnergies. However, this agreement signifies more than just a supply contract; it represents a deepened commitment to co-develop solutions for the future of mobility, from advanced hybrid engines to the complex needs of battery electric vehicles (EVs).

An Alliance Forged Over Two Decades

The 15-year history between Kia and TotalEnergies has built a foundation of trust and operational excellence. This latest chapter extends their collaboration to a full 20 years, a testament to its mutual success in a volatile industry. The partnership has historically focused on providing Kia customers with high-quality Quartz engine oils, ensuring vehicle performance and reliability across more than 190 markets.

This enduring relationship is crucial as both companies navigate complex global supply chains and evolving consumer expectations. The renewed agreement continues to leverage TotalEnergies' expertise not only in lubricant technology but also in marketing and logistical support, ensuring a consistent standard of service for Kia owners worldwide.

"We are truly honored to extend our longstanding partnership with Kia as we embark on a fourth consecutive global term, continuing to build together a trusted collaboration dedicated to excellence and to creating meaningful value for customers worldwide," said Elodie Luce, Vice President of the Automotive Business Unit at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants.

Dong-Hwan Hwang, Head of Ownership Management Subdivision at Kia Corporation, echoed this sentiment, stating, "TotalEnergies has been a valued partner for the past 15 years. The renewed agreement will enable us to explore new opportunities together, further enhancing the ownership experience for Kia drivers and improving service competitiveness in the changing market."

The Unsung Science of EV Lubrication

While the partnership's roots are in traditional lubricants, its future is firmly planted in the electric revolution. A common misconception is that electric vehicles, lacking a combustion engine, are free from the need for specialized fluids. The reality is far more complex, and it is here that the collaboration finds its new, critical purpose.

TotalEnergies has invested heavily in a dedicated portfolio of EV fluids, including its Quartz EV Fluid range. These are not conventional oils but highly advanced formulations designed to address the unique challenges of electric powertrains. Key functions include:
* Thermal Management: EVs generate significant heat, particularly in the battery and electric motor. Specialized dielectric fluids are essential for dissipating this heat efficiently, ensuring battery longevity, safety, and optimal performance.
* Electrical Insulation: The fluids must possess superior dielectric properties to safely insulate high-voltage electrical components, preventing short circuits and ensuring operational safety.
* Drivetrain Protection: EV drivetrains often feature high-speed reduction gears that operate under immense torque. These require specialized lubricants that can protect against wear and tear while being compatible with materials like copper windings and advanced polymers used in electric motors.

This renewal strengthens TotalEnergies' ability "to accelerate the development of cutting-edge lubricant solutions tailored to the rapidly evolving demands of modern powertrains, including the latest hybrid and electric technologies," as noted by Luce. This technical expertise provides crucial support for Kia’s ambitious electrification strategy.

Fueling Kia’s Sustainable 'Plan S'

The partnership is a critical enabler of Kia's "Plan S," a transformative strategy to become a global leader in sustainable mobility. Under this plan, Kia is investing heavily to expand its EV lineup to 15 models by 2027 and aims to achieve complete carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2045.

The collaboration with TotalEnergies directly supports these goals in several ways. For Kia's popular hybrid models, advanced, low-viscosity lubricants like those in the Quartz range reduce engine friction, which directly improves fuel economy and lowers CO2 emissions. For its growing fleet of all-electric models like the EV6 and EV9, the specialized EV fluids from TotalEnergies are indispensable for maximizing efficiency, extending battery range, and ensuring the long-term durability of the powertrain.

This alignment extends beyond the vehicles themselves. Both companies have expressed a shared dedication to exploring deeper collaborations in sustainability and mobility services. As Kia works toward its RE100 goal of using 100% renewable energy in its global operations, partnering with an energy company that is itself navigating a transition towards cleaner energy and sustainability creates powerful synergies.

Enhancing the Global Customer Experience

Ultimately, the impact of this global alliance is felt by millions of Kia drivers at the local level. By ensuring that every Kia dealership and service center (outside of South Korea) has access to precisely formulated lubricants, the partnership guarantees a consistent and high-quality ownership experience.

Whether a customer is driving a gasoline-powered Seltos, a Niro Hybrid, or a fully electric EV9, they can be confident that the fluids used during service are specifically designed and approved for their vehicle. This eliminates guesswork for technicians and provides peace of mind for owners, protecting their investment and ensuring their vehicle performs as intended.

As the automotive landscape becomes more technologically diverse with a mix of combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles on the road, this standardized approach to service becomes even more valuable. The partnership between Kia and TotalEnergies provides a robust framework to manage this complexity, reinforcing brand loyalty and service competitiveness in a fiercely contested global market. This renewed commitment signals that for the next five years and beyond, the two giants will continue to drive innovation together, from the laboratory to the dealership service bay.