The Kia Soul EV, also known as the Kia e-Soul, is an all-electricsubcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Kia Motors. The US Environmental Protection Agency official range for the 2020 Kia Soul EV is 243 miles. Deliveries of the first generation of the car began in South Korea in May 2014. European sales began in July 2014. Sales started in the U.S. in October 2014; 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. Global sales exceeded the 10,000 unit milestone in January 2016, with Europe as the leading market with 6,770 units sold. Germany was the leading European market with 3,853 units sold through December 2015.. A second generation was introduced in 2019 for the 2020 model year. This generation is sold in both Europe and the United States.
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 The first-generation Soul EV was based on the second-generation Kia Soul.
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. CHAdeMO fast charging capability of 100 kW DC. The US Environmental Protection Agency official range for the 2015 model year Soul EV is and the EPA rated its combined fuel economy at 105 miles per US gallon gasoline equivalent., the Soul EV had the largest EPA-rated all-electric range in city driving of its class, with. The motor is rated at 81.4 kW and torque 285 Nm. 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.
Second generation
For model year 2020, Kia announced a serious battery upgrade—a 64 kWh battery pack—doubling its capacity and range.. The Soul EV was redesigned for 2020 and will be the only variant of the Soul to be offered in Europe.. 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 2016-2017
MY 2018-2019
MY 2020
Nominal capacity
30,5 kWh
31,8 kWh
64 kWh
Usable capacity
27 kWh
30 kWh
Number of cells
192
200
Battery weight
277 kg
290 kg
Rated voltage
360 V
375 V
356 V
Fast charging standard
CHAdeMO
CHAdeMO
CCS
Battery cooling
air
air
liquid
Engine power
109 hp
109 hp
201 hp
Torque
210 lb.-ft.
210 lb.-ft.
291 lb.-ft.
0-60 mph time
9,5 s
9,2 s
7,6 s
MY2020 Along with the large upgrade, Kia uses Michelin tires with reduced rolling resistance and achieves better range:
MY 2016-2017
MY 2018-
MY 2020
EPA range
93 miles
111 miles
243 miles
NEDC range
212 km
250 km – 18% increase
South Korean cycle
148 km
180 km – 22% increase
WLTP range
452 km
Production and sales
Production of the Soul EV began in South Korea in April 2014. Pricing in the South Korean market starts at 42 million won before a 50% government subsidy. Kia set a global sales target of 5,000 units for 2014. Deliveries began in South Korea in May 2014, with 38 units delivered. 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. European retail deliveries began in July 2014. Sales started in the U.S. in October 2014 as 2015 model year. 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. 2016 Kia Soul EVs began sales in Washington state in late July 2015. The Soul EV is available in two trims, with pricing starting at before any applicable government incentives. 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. 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. Global sales passed the 5,000 unit mark in August 2015, of which, 1,177 were sold in South Korea. 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., the leading European markets were Germany with 3,853 units sold, and Norway with 1,637 units. During 2015, 2,044 Soul EVs were imported to Norway as used cars. 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 loophole helped the Hyundai-Kia Group lower its average fleet emissions, avoiding a hefty fine.
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. In August 2014, Kia Motors introduced the 2015 Soul EV, hamster commercial featuring "Animals" by Maroon 5.
