Switching from a gas-powered car to an electric one can feel like giving up a familiar ritual. In Finland, Kia is leaning into that emotion with a playful twist: a petrol-scented air freshener created to ease the transition for new EV owners.
The idea comes from Astara Auto Finland, Kia’s local importer. Their marketing team says the goal is to make the move to electric feel less abrupt, tapping into the nostalgic side of car culture. It’s not the first time an automaker has bottled the gasoline experience—several years ago, a performance EV fragrance made headlines by blending notes of fuel, rubber, and metal. At the time, research suggested that a large share of drivers genuinely missed the smell of petrol when moving to an electric vehicle.
Kia’s version was crafted by Max Perttula, Finland’s only professional perfumer. He built the scent around heavy motor oil and gasoline, then refined it with amber, birch tar, and galbanum for depth. A touch of jasmine was added because its molecules closely resemble compounds found in petrol, lending realism without turning overpowering. The result aims to evoke the atmosphere of a real garage—nostalgic, industrial, and carefully balanced rather than harsh.
Fittingly, the air freshener is shaped like a miniature fuel can. It’s available exclusively to buyers of the Kia EV4 in Finland, aligning the accessory with a major new model launch. For those eyeing the EV4 elsewhere, the car is expected to arrive in the United States in early 2026. Two battery sizes are planned: a 58.3 kWh pack targeting roughly 235 miles of range, and an 81.4 kWh version rated up to about 330 miles. Depending on configuration, output can reach up to 150 kW.
The campaign has sparked lively reactions on social media. Some commenters have poked fun at the concept, while others see it as clever marketing that acknowledges what drivers say they’ll miss. Either way, it accomplishes a key objective—getting people to talk about electric cars in a new, attention-grabbing way.
By blending a sensory throwback with modern EV tech, Kia’s Finnish team highlights an undeniable truth about the shift to electric mobility: it’s not just about specs and charging speeds, but also the emotional connection drivers have with their cars. For the EV-curious who still love the smell of the old days, this tongue-in-cheek accessory might make the jump feel a little more familiar.
