Official Kia Soul EV thread

[Valdemar]

I expect an EPA range about the same as the Leaf's due to its poorer aerodynamics...

But likely better at lower speeds...

 

[nosuchthing]

SOUL-EV is a cool car. Now if Kia had just put in a 150 EPA mile battery it would be a slam dunk.

Except they didn't...

 

[smkettner]

I expect an EPA range about the same as the Leaf's due to its poorer aerodynamics...

Range is 80 to 100 miles. Just makes the compliance requirement.
None of the drive specs set it apart as a more useful EV compared to LEAF.

 

[jstack6]

Here's a dedicated KIA Soul EV website. and an Inside EV's update from 3 days ago 2-23-2014 . It doesn't sound like a compliance car but time will tell.

https://www.facebook.com/KIAsoulEV" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://insideevs.com/full-details-released-on-2015-kia-soul-evs-advanced-battery/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
“The Soul EV will initially be sold in California and Oregon in the West and several Eastern states including New York, New Jersey and Maryland, the regions with the largest EV markets and infrastructure. KMA will look to offer the vehicle in other markets in the near future as infrastructure and demand grow. Pricing for the Soul EV will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch.”

 

[DaveEV]

None of the drive specs set it apart as a more useful EV compared to LEAF.

100 kW CHAdeMO sounds useful, though it appears to taper heavily so would only be useful for picking up a smaller amount of charge when nearly empty (and the fact that there aren't any 100 kW CHAdeMO stations out there that I'm aware of!).

 

[DougWantsALeaf]

As batteries get bigger, 100Kw Will matter more. Still it's 8 minutes faster to 80%, not a bad improvement. Hope kia dealerships start adding chademos

 

[evnow]

Here's a dedicated KIA Soul EV website. and an Inside EV's update from 3 days ago 2-23-2014 . It doesn't sound like a compliance car but time will tell.

https://www.facebook.com/KIAsoulEV" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://insideevs.com/full-details-released-on-2015-kia-soul-evs-advanced-battery/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
“The Soul EV will initially be sold in California and Oregon in the West and several Eastern states including New York, New Jersey and Maryland, the regions with the largest EV markets and infrastructure. KMA will look to offer the vehicle in other markets in the near future as infrastructure and demand grow. Pricing for the Soul EV will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch.”

CA & OR - but not WA = compliance car

 

[gsleaf]

Looks like a Kia Soul EV showed up in Portland, Oregon.

http://evspotter.blogspot.com/2014/03/tuesday-pm.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[DNAinaGoodWay]

The battery warming TMS and the heat pump that draws heat off the motor and inverter are two features I'd be interested in after winters like this.

 

[EVDRIVER]

The battery warming TMS and the heat pump that draws heat off the motor and inverter are two features I'd be interested in after winters like this.

Motor and inverter waste heat at normal operation are not significant.

 

[DNAinaGoodWay]

The battery warming TMS and the heat pump that draws heat off the motor and inverter are two features I'd be interested in after winters like this.

Motor and inverter waste heat at normal operation are not significant.

No? But if they have to be cooled anyway, might as well capture that.

 

[GIBBER]

Talked to the hired test driver of this one tonight. Today was her first ever at breaking 100 miles on a full charge (105) she was quite surprised. It has been more consistantly in the 80-90 mile range. Like most people on here seemed to expect. It was a show car optioned version (everything but a blender) driver didn't have tech specifics but did say she really liked driving it.

 

[TomT]

Too bad! With more range I might have considered it but clearly it is just another Meh EV and I have no interest in that any longer...

Today was her first ever at breaking 100 miles on a full charge (105) she was quite surprised. It has been more consistantly in the 80-90 mile range. Like most people on here seemed to expect.

 

[Valdemar]

80-90 freeway miles is not too bad. Did she mention anything about her driving patterns?

 

[smkettner]

Just don't trade your LEAF for a Soul expecting more range.

 

[Valdemar]

Just don't trade your LEAF for a Soul expecting more range.

Well, my current range is 65 miles, 80-90 will definitely be an improvement, the question is how long it'll last.

 

[DeaneG]

Well, my current range is 65 miles, 80-90 will definitely be an improvement, the question is how long it'll last.

+1 watching my range tick down by the season, and hoping a viable alternative emerges in the time my current car remains useful.

 

[DNAinaGoodWay]

People on the iMiev forum are reporting very little or even no degradation. Maybe Soul will be more like that, plus it has TMS. Maybe it's more the Li chemistry that Nissan uses?

 

[RonDawg]

Talked to the hired test driver of this one tonight.

Considering the car has already been announced at the Chicago Auto Show, I don't know why it still needs to be disguised. We all know what the car is supposed to look like.

If anything, HyunKia should be plastering stickers all over the car that say "TEST MULE. Production version coming to a Kia dealer near you soon."

 

[nosuchthing]

Talked to the hired test driver of this one tonight. Today was her first ever at breaking 100 miles on a full charge (105) she was quite surprised.

At what average speed?