Kia Launches Gasoline-Scented Air Freshener for Electric Drivers

Kia introduces a limited-edition gasoline-scented air freshener in Finland, blending humor and nostalgia to ease EV drivers’ transition from combustion to electric cars.

Kia has found a way to bring back something many drivers secretly miss — the smell of gasoline. The brand has introduced a unique air freshener for electric vehicle owners, designed to capture the familiar scent of traditional motoring. What might seem like a lighthearted gimmick is actually a thoughtful bridge between two eras of driving.

The idea took shape in Finland, where Kia’s local distributor, Astara Auto, launched the project alongside the debut of the new EV4. The limited-edition air freshener, shaped like a miniature jerrycan, was created in collaboration with Finnish perfumer Max Perttula. Its formula combines notes of motor oil, metal, birch tar, and jasmine — a flower that naturally emits some of the same hydrocarbons found in gasoline. Perttula describes the fragrance as “a touch of nostalgic fun for the EV transition.”

Behind the humor lies a sharp understanding of the emotional side of driving. For many long-time motorists, switching from combustion engines to electric power isn’t just a technical change — it’s a cultural one. The hum of the engine, the subtle vibration, even the smell of fuel formed part of the driving experience. Kia’s playful scent acknowledges that attachment and offers a symbolic way to ease the transition.

The project also underscores Kia’s evolving identity. With electric models like the EV4, EV6, and EV9, the company is positioning itself as both innovative and emotionally aware. The gasoline-scented air freshener fits within that narrative — a small, witty reminder that embracing the future doesn’t mean abandoning the past.

Kia’s idea joins a broader trend among automakers seeking to balance innovation with nostalgia. Ford’s Mach-Eau fragrance and BMW’s synthesized driving sounds by Hans Zimmer are other examples of brands reinterpreting sensory cues from the age of combustion. Kia’s Finnish twist, however, might be the most charming of all — a lighthearted nod to the past, packaged for an electric tomorrow.