Kia Soul EV

The Kia Soul EV, also known as the Kia e-Soul, is an all-electric subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Kia. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official range for the 2020 Kia Soul EV is 243 miles (391 km).[1]

Kia e-Soul
Overview
ManufacturerKia
Production2014-present
Body and chassis
Classbattery-electric subcompact crossover SUV
Body style4-door SUV
RelatedKia Soul
Powertrain
EnginePermanent Magnet AC Synchronous Electric Motor
Electric motor150 kW (201 hp)[note 1]
Battery64 kW·h lithium-ion polymer battery[note 2]
Range(2016,2017) 93 mi (150 km)

(2018) 111 mi (179 km)

(2020) 243 mi (391 km)
Rear three-quarter view

Deliveries of the first generation of the car began in South Korea in May 2014.[2][3] European sales began in July 2014.[4] Sales started in the U.S. in October 2014;[5] initially it was sold only in California, Oregon, and several Eastern states, with the largest EV markets and infrastructure including New York, New Jersey and Maryland.[4] Global sales exceeded the 10,000 unit milestone in January 2016, with Europe as the leading market with 6,770 units sold.[6] Germany was the leading European market with 3,853 units sold through December 2015.[7][8]

A second generation was introduced in 2019 for the 2020 model year. This generation is sold in both Europe and the United States.[9] However, the second generation has been delayed in the United States until 2021.[10]

History

In 2013, Kia began testing prototype versions of a Soul electric vehicle. In November 2013, Kia announced they would be producing a Soul EV and that it would go on sale in 2014. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show.[11] The first-generation Soul EV was based on the second-generation Kia Soul.[12]

Specifications

First generation

The first-generation Soul EV was powered by a 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and 30 kWh for 2018 model year.[13] CHAdeMO rapid charging capability of 100 kW DC.[12] The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official range for the 2015 model year Soul EV is 93 mi (150 km) and the EPA rated its combined fuel economy at 105 miles per US gallon gasoline equivalent (2.2 L/100 km equivalent).[14] As of September 2014, the Soul EV had the largest EPA-rated all-electric range in city driving of its class, with 104 mi (167 km).[15] The motor is rated at 81.4 kW (109 bhp) and torque 285 Nm (210 lb.-ft).[16]

For model year 2018, Kia announced a small battery upgrade by 11% by adding 8 cells to the pack and improving the usable window of cell capacity from 37.5 Ah to 40 Ah out of 42.4 Ah, increasing the battery pack storage capacity to 30 kWh.[17][18]

Second generation

For model year 2020, Kia announced a serious battery upgrade—a 64 kWh battery pack—doubling its capacity and range.[9][19] The Soul EV was redesigned for 2020 and will be the only variant of the Soul to be offered in Europe.[20] In the United States, both versions—gasoline and battery electric—are sold.

The engine power output is 201 hp.

This vehicle is the third in the series of long range EVs put on the market by Hyundai-Kia, after the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia Niro EV.

MY 2016-2017MY 2018-2019 MY 2020
Nominal capacity (gross)30,5 kWh (192 x 42,36 Ah x 3,75 V)31,8 kWh (200 x 42,36 Ah x 3,75 V) 64 kWh
Usable capacity (net)27 kWh (192 x 37,5 Ah x 3,75 V)30 kWh (200 x 40 Ah x 3,75 V)
Number of cells192 (96s2p)200 (100s2p)
Battery weight277 kg290 kg
Rated voltage360 V375 V 356 V
Rapid charging standard CHAdeMO (up to 70/100 kW) CHAdeMO (up to 70/100 kW) CCS (up to 100 kW)
Battery cooling air air liquid
Engine power 109 hp (90 kW) 109 hp (81.4 kW) 201 hp (204 PS)
Torque 210 lb.-ft. (285 Nm) 210 lb.-ft. (285 Nm) 291 lb.-ft. (395 Nm)
0-60 mph time 9,5 s 9,2 s 7,6 s

MY2020 243 mi (391 km) Along with the large upgrade, Kia uses Michelin tires with reduced rolling resistance and achieves better range:

MY 2016-2017MY 2018- MY 2020
EPA range93 miles (150 km)111 miles (182 km - 21% increase) 243 miles (390 km)
NEDC range212 km250 km – 18% increase
South Korean cycle148 km180 km – 22% increase
WLTP range 452 km

Production and sales

First generation
2016 Kia Soul EV+ charging frontal view

Production of the Soul EV began in South Korea in April 2014. Pricing in the South Korean market starts at 42 million won ( ~US$39,400) before a 50% government subsidy. Kia set a global sales target of 5,000 units for 2014.[4] Deliveries began in South Korea in May 2014, with 38 units delivered.[2][3]

On June 12, 2014, Kia began production of the Soul EV for export. First vehicles off the production line are headed to select European countries.[4][21] European retail deliveries began in July 2014.[4][22]

Sales started in the U.S. in October 2014 as 2015 model year.[5] Initially it was sold only in California, but in March 2015, Kia Motors North America announced the Soul EV would be available in Georgia in the second quarter of 2015, and Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and Texas would receive the EV later in the year.[23] 2016 Kia Soul EVs began sales in Washington state in late July 2015.[24] The Soul EV is available in two trims, with pricing starting at US$33,700 before any applicable government incentives.[25]

In November 2014, the Kia Soul EV went on sale in the UK for £24,995 after the government's £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant.[26]

Kia announced the 2016 Soul EV would come in three trims: EV-e, EV, and EV+. The EV-e will only be available in California. A Sun & Fun package will be available on the EV+ adding a sunroof, lighted speakers, and interior lighting kit. Other minor changes and colors are being introduced in the 2016 model year.[27]

Global sales passed the 5,000 unit mark in August 2015, of which, 1,177 were sold in South Korea.[28] The 10,000 unit milestone was reached in January 2016, with Europe as the leading market with 6,770 units sold, followed by South Korea with 1,580, and the United States with 1,411.[6] As of December 2015, the leading European markets were Germany with 3,853 units sold,[7][8] and Norway with 1,637 units.[29][30]

During 2015, 2,044 Soul EVs were imported to Norway as used cars.[31] The magazine Der Spiegel claimed that Kia registered the cars in Germany and then shipped them to Norway, which does not belong to the European Union. This legal[32] loophole helped the Hyundai-Kia Group lower its average CO
2 fleet emissions, avoiding a hefty fine.

Second generation
A Kia Soul EV in the United Kingdom

The 2020 Kia Soul EV costs 319,900 NOK (US$ 36,600)[note 3] in Norway, which is less than its internal competitor, the Hyundai Kona Electric (another potential competitor, the Chevrolet Bolt, is no longer imported to Europe via official channels), and also noticeably less than the larger Kia Niro EV.

With demand for EVs reportedly exceeding battery supply, Hyundai-Kia decided to divert batteries to the production of the more expensive Kia Niro (the Niro and the Soul sharing the same battery), which according to one article was the reason for limiting Soul EV production and delaying its entry into the US market until 2021.[33]

The Soul EV is the only variant of the Soul sold in Europe. In the first ten months on 2020, European sales totaled 6,768 units.[34]

Marketing

For the 2014 SEMA Show, Kia Motors unveiled a custom Soul EV with a red and white Smitten Ice Cream livery and a refrigerated trailer.[35]

In August 2014, Kia Motors introduced the 2015 Soul EV, hamster commercial featuring "Animals" by Maroon 5.[36]

See also

Notes
  1. First-gen: 81.4kW (109bhp)/201 hp (204 PS), torque 285 Nm (210 lb.-ft) to 291 lb.-ft (395 Nm)
  2. First-gen: 30.5 kW·h lithium-ion polymer battery, 27 kW·h usable
  3. As of December 8, 2020

References
  1. "New Kia Soul Gets Official EPA Range Of 243 Miles (391 km) — Charts!". CleanTechnica. 15 February 2019.
  2. Jose Pontes (28 June 2014). "South Korea May 2014". EVSales.com. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  3. Yonhap News Agency (29 June 2014). "Sales of EVs, hybrid cars jump 27.3 pct on-year in 2014: report". Global Post. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  4. Eric Loveday (11 March 2014). "Production of Kia Soul EV to Begin in April – Sales to Follow Immediately in South Korea". InsideEVs. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  5. Jay Cole (2014-11-03). "October 2014 Plug-In Electric Vehicle Sales Report Card". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
  6. "Global sales of Soul EV top 10,000 units" (Press release). Seoul: Yonhap. 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2016-03-03. The Soul EV posted combined global sales of 10,210 units through January 2016, with the overseas market taking up 8,630 units.
  7. Jose Pontes (2015-01-19). "Germany December 2014". EVSales.com. Retrieved 2015-10-08. A total of 14 Soul EVs were sold in Germany in 2014.
  8. Jose, Pontes (2016-01-25). "Germany December 2015". EVSales.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03. A total of 3,839 Soul EVs were sold in Germany in 2015.
  9. Dzikiy, Phil (2019-02-14). "2020 Kia Soul EV gets 243-mile EPA range rating". Electrek. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  10. "New Kia Soul EV Delayed until 2021 for U.S. Buyers". Car and Driver. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  11. Undercoffler, David (6 February 2014). "Chicago Auto Show: Kia unveils all-electric Soul EV". L.A. Times. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  12. Mike Szostech. "Kia Soul EV coming in 2014 with range of more than 120 miles". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  13. KIA. "2018 Kia Soul EV | Vehicle Features | Kia". www.kia.com. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  14. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy (2014-09-12). "2015 Kia Soul Electric". Fueleconomy.gov. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  15. Eric Loveday (2014-09-12). "2015 Kia Soul EV Gets Official EPA Range Rating Of 93 Miles – City Range Will Blow Your Mind". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  16. "Power electric specifications KIA Soul EV 2017 2.G Owner's Manual". www.carmanualsonline.info. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  17. "2018 Kia Soul EV Gets 30 kwh Battery, Range Boost". kia-world.net. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  18. Trish (2016-01-30). "KIA Soul EV vs. Nissan LEAF: An Owner's Comparison". Driving Solar. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
  19. Lambert, Fred (2018-11-29). "Kia unveils 2020 Soul EV with 201HP, 64kWh, 200+ mile battery and 100kW CCS charging". Electrek. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  20. Dzikiy, Phil (2019-02-26). "Kia Soul EV introduced as 2019 Kia e-Soul in Europe with 280-mile WLTP range". Electrek. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  21. Mike Szostech. "Kia Soul EV production for export begins". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  22. Beene, Ryan (6 February 2014). "Kia Soul EV to launch in 3rd quarter". Automotive News. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  23. "Kia Soul EV Availability". Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2015-08-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. Sebastian Blanco (2014-09-11). "Kia Soul EV priced at $33,700*, leases start at $249/month". Autoblog Green. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  26. Mike Szostech. "Kia Soul EV Availability". My Kia Soul EV. My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  27. http"2016 Kia Soul EV Overview". Kia Media. Kia Motors.
  28. Yonhap (2015-10-08). "Global sales of Soul EV top 5,000 units". Yonhap News. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  29. Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) (January 2015). "CO2-utslippet i desember 2014" [CO2 emissions in December 2014] (in Norwegian). OFV. Retrieved 2016-03-03. See graph: "Gjennomsnittlig CO2-utslipp for registrerte ney personbiler per modell 2015, til og med desember." A total of 617 Kia Soul EVs were registered in Norway in 2014.
  30. Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) (January 2016). "CO2-utslippet i desember" [CO2 emissions in December] (in Norwegian). OFV. Retrieved 2016-03-03. See graph: "Gjennomsnittlig CO2-utslipp for registrerte ney personbiler per modell 2015, til og med desember." A total of 1,020 Kia Soul EVs were registered in Norway in 2015.
  31. Moberg, Knut (2016-01-16). "Bilsalget i 2015: Tidenes bronseplass" [Car sales in 2015: The bronze age]. Dinside.com (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2016-03-05. See table: "Topp 5 bruktimport i 2015"
  32. Nils-Viktor Sorge and Wilfried Eckl-Dorna (2015-11-26). "Dubiose Zulassungs-Strategie:Dieser Ladenhüter trickst Kias Umweltbilanz schön" [Dubious approval strategy: This dealer is tricking beautifully Kia's environmental balance]. Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  33. https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-surprising-reason-americans-have-to-wait-until-2021-for-the-kia-soul-ev/?cmpredirect
  34. https://carsalesbase.com/europe-kia-soul/
  35. Mihalascu, Dan (2014-10-17). "Kia Previews SEMA Lineup with Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV". Carscoops.com. Retrieved 2014-10-23.
  36. Deacon, Clinton (2014-08-21). "Kia hamsters return for comical Soul EV commercial [video]". Motorsport Network. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
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