Kia Soul EV

The Kia Soul EV is an all electric version of the Kia Soul subcompact car.

History

The Kia Soul electric vehicle (EV) came out in 2014.
The Kia Soul EV started selling in late 2014 in California. In 2015, Kia Soul EV started selling in Georgia, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Texas.

Design

The Kia Soul EV is essentially a Kia Soul with an extra 620 battery pack, different engine, and extra beams to strengthen the body. The Kia Soul EV is based on the second generation of the Kia Soul. The battery pack is air cooled to prevent the battery fires that plagued some of the first electric car models.

Performance

The Kia Soul (non-hybrid) version gets 24 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. The Kia Soul EV has a 93 mile range. The Kia Soul EV's range is second only to the Tesla S.
The Kia Soul earned a five star NHTSA safety rating in 2015.
The Kia Soul EV charges via a 120 volt outlet (a level 1 charger) or 240 volt charger (level 2). Using a standard 120 volt outlet, it charges in around 24 hours. Using a 240 volt outlet, it charges in around five hours. Using a CHAdeMo charging port which is faster than the others, it can charge a battery to 80% in just over half an hour using a fast charger.
The motor generates 109 horsepower using an 81.4 kilowatt motor. It produces 210 foot pounds of torque. It generates extra energy capturing energy via regenerative braking.
The Kia Soul EV goes zero to sixty miles per hour in just under eleven seconds. The Kia Soul EV has a top speed of 145 kph or 90 miles per hour.
The EV version of the Kia Soul has two trim lines, the standard and the Plus. The standard package includes a navigation system, rear view camera, battery monitoring, and tools to find a nearby charging station. The EV Plus adds power folding models, heated leather seats, and fog lights. Using power features does drain battery life and operating range.

Price

The Kia Soul cost $15,200 new in 2015. The basic trim level of the Kia Soul EV cost $33,700 in 2015. The higher Plus trim level cost $35,700.
The cost is partially offset by a American federal tax rebate of $7,500 offered to those who purchase qualifying hybrid or electric vehicles. This is on top of state tax rebates available in California and Georgia, such as the $5,000 California state rebate for buying or leasing this car. In California, the Kia Soul EV can also be driven in the HOV lane even with a single driver.
For Canadian buyers, the Kia Soul EV is eligible for a point of purchase rebate per the Clean Energy Vehicle incentive program. That rebate is for up to $5,000 Canadian.

Rivals

Rivals to the Kia Soul EV include the Chevy Spark EV, Volkswagen e-Golf, Fiat 500E, Smart Fourtwo, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Leaf, and Ford Focus Electric.
Hybrid rivals to this car include the Toyota Prius and Kia Optima Hybrid.
A Kia Soul hybrid came out in 2008 but never became a mass market vehicle.

Trivia

The Kia Soul EV earned the Canadian Green Car of the Year award in 2015.
The Kia Soul EV accounted for 44% of the electric car sales in California in 2014.