Kia Soul EV Electric Makes Its U.S. Debut in Chicago
Kia Brings an Electric Soul to America
Kia Soul entered the U.S. (EV) electric vehicle market. That’s with the debut of the Soul EV (all-electric) at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show.
At the time, the Soul EV represented a major step for the Korean automaker. It became Kia’s first fully electric, zero-emission vehicle scheduled for sale in the United States.
Sales were expected to begin during the third quarter of 2014. Initially, Kia planned availability in California and Oregon. New York, New Jersey and Maryland were also among the first East Coast markets. (The Green Living Guy)
The electric Soul joined Kia’s refreshed Optima Hybrid and Niro hybrid concept on the auto-show stage. Together, those vehicles highlighted the company’s growing focus on lower-emission transportation.
The Familiar Kia Soul Design Meets EV Electric Power
Rather than create an entirely unfamiliar EV, Kia electrified one of its most recognizable vehicles.
The Soul EV kept the boxy shape and distinctive styling that helped make the gasoline-powered Soul popular. However, Kia added several EV-specific details.
A revised front fascia concealed the charging connections behind a sliding panel. Meanwhile, LED lighting, unique trim and special 16-inch alloy wheels helped distinguish the electric version.
Kia also offered exclusive two-tone paint combinations. Those colors further separated the Soul EV from conventional models.
A 27-kWh Battery Powered the Kia Soul EV all-electric
Under the floor, Kia Soul installed an EV 27-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery electric pack. That placement helped preserve much of the Soul’s passenger space while giving the EV a lower center of gravity.
The 360-volt battery used 96 cells and relied on an air-cooled thermal management system. For the period, the setup reflected Kia’s effort to balance range, packaging and cost without dramatically changing the basic Soul platform.
Kia estimated that drivers could travel roughly 80 to 100 miles on a full charge. In some internal testing, the Soul EV reportedly exceeded the 100-mile mark. That mattered in 2014, when many mass-market electric vehicles still offered relatively limited driving range.
At the time, those numbers made the Soul EV a serious entrant in the growing EV market. Drivers could handle daily commuting, errands and most local trips without using gasoline. For urban and suburban owners, that was becoming an increasingly practical proposition.
Battery placement delivered another benefit. Mounting the pack low in the chassis helped reduce the vehicle’s center of gravity. As a result, Kia said the electric Soul offered improved stability and more planted handling compared with what buyers might expect from its tall, boxy body.
Engineers also strengthened the structure underneath the vehicle. Additional underbody bracing increased torsional rigidity compared with the gasoline-powered Soul.
Therefore, electrification changed more than the energy source. The battery pack and structural revisions also influenced how the vehicle felt on the road.
Electric Motor Delivers Instant Torque
Power came from a front-mounted electric motor producing 109 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque.
Those numbers may sound modest by today’s EV standards. However, electric motors deliver torque almost immediately. That gave the Soul EV quick initial response when pulling away from a stop or moving through city traffic.
A single-speed reduction gearbox sent power directly to the front wheels. Without conventional gear changes, acceleration remained smooth and nearly uninterrupted.
Kia estimated that the Soul EV could reach 60 mph in less than 12 seconds. Clearly, outright speed was not the vehicle’s main mission. Instead, engineers focused on efficiency, usability and everyday drivability.
Top speed was electronically limited to around 90 mph. That was more than enough for normal highway driving while helping Kia manage energy consumption from the relatively small battery pack.
Around town, instant electric torque became one of the Soul EV’s biggest advantages. Drivers could accelerate smoothly into traffic while enjoying the quiet operation that helped distinguish EVs from gasoline-powered compact cars.
The electric drivetrain also reduced mechanical complexity. There was no traditional automatic transmission shifting through multiple gears. Instead, the motor delivered power through a simpler single-speed system.
For an urban EV, the combination made sense. Buyers received practical interior space, compact exterior dimensions and zero tailpipe emissions in a familiar package.
More importantly, the Soul EV demonstrated how manufacturers could electrify an existing vehicle without completely changing its character. Kia kept the utility and distinctive shape of the Soul while replacing gasoline power with an entirely electric drivetrain.
Regenerative Braking Recovers Energy
Kia also equipped the Soul EV with its third-generation regenerative braking system.
During deceleration, the system could recover kinetic energy and return it to the battery. Kia said regeneration could capture up to 12% of the vehicle’s kinetic energy.
Drivers could also select different regeneration settings. Consequently, the Soul EV offered more control over how aggressively the vehicle slowed and recovered energy. (The Green Living Guy)
Today, adjustable regenerative braking feels familiar in electric cars. Back in 2014, however, these systems were still introducing many drivers to a different style of driving.
Multiple Charging Options Added Flexibility
Charging represented another important part of Kia’s strategy.
Owners could plug into a standard 120-volt household outlet. For faster home charging, the Soul EV also supported 240-volt Level 2 equipment.
Kia included both SAE J1772 AC charging and CHAdeMO DC fast charging. Both ports sat behind the front grille. (The Green Living Guy)
Using a standard 120-volt outlet, a fully depleted battery could require about 24 hours to recharge. A 240-volt connection reduced that time to under five hours.
With a 50-kW DC fast charger, Kia said drivers could reach an 80% charge in approximately 33 minutes. (The Green Living Guy)
Furthermore, Kia partnered with Bosch, Leviton and AeroVironment to help buyers choose home charging equipment.
Sustainable Materials Move Inside
The environmental story extended beyond the battery.
Kia incorporated bio-based materials throughout the Soul EV cabin. These materials appeared in areas including door panels, carpeting, roof pillars, headliner and seat trim.
Cellulose and sugar-cane-derived plastics helped reduce reliance on conventional petroleum-based materials. BTX-free paint also appeared on several interior components.
Underwriters Laboratories recognized the Soul EV for its use of environmentally preferable materials. The vehicle received UL’s first automotive environmental claim validation for bio-based interior content. (The Green Living Guy)
In total, Kia used bio-based organic materials across numerous interior components. Additional antibacterial materials appeared on frequently touched surfaces.
That approach showed an important point. Building a greener vehicle can involve much more than replacing a gasoline engine with an electric motor.
An Important Early Step for Kia
Looking back, the Soul EV represented an important moment in Kia’s electrification strategy.
The vehicle combined a familiar design with an all-electric drivetrain. At the same time, it offered fast charging, regenerative braking and environmentally conscious interior materials.
More importantly, Kia brought another recognizable brand into the emerging mass-market EV sector.
Electric vehicles have advanced dramatically since the Soul EV debuted in Chicago. Battery packs have grown larger. Range has increased. Charging has become faster.
Yet vehicles such as the original Soul EV helped move electric transportation beyond experiments and niche products.
For Kia, the electric Soul EV marked the beginning of a much larger transition.
Source: Kia Motors America
CHICAGO, February 6, 2014
