The Soul EV has been developed after 30 years of research and development by Kia investigating the potential of electric cars. The vehicle has a range of up to 132 miles (212 kilometres) on a single charge and incorporates lithium-ion polymer batteries with an energy density of 200 watt hours per kilogram of weight. A heating and cooling system keeps the batteries at an optimal operating temperature thereby helping to extend the Soul EV’s range.
Kia has used nickel-rich material for the cathodes and has built regenerative braking into the vehicle, which tops up the batteries when coasting or slowing down. The air conditioning system can be set to heat or cool only one side of the car when the driver is travelling alone and the wheels have super-low-rolling-resistance tyres, which can reduce energy consumption by as much as ten per cent over regular low-rolling-resistance tyres.
The batteries have an energy storage capacity of 27 kilowatt-hours and are mounted beneath the car in a special casing which protects them from stone or gravel damage and spray thrown up by the wheels. Electric drive components are mounted beneath the bonnet, where the internal combustion engine would normally be located. The front of the Soul EV has been blanked off where the radiator grille would normally be found, since an electric motor requires less cooling than a petrol or diesel engine. This in turn enhances the vehicles aerodynamic features.
The Soul EV can be fully recharged in 10 to 13 hours using a UK 230-volt domestic power supply. With the wallbox or at a public fast-charge point, the time is reduced to around five hours. Alternatively, through a public rapid charger the batteries can be topped up to 80 per cent of capacity - the maximum permissible with this type of system - in 33 minutes.
The vehicle has a top speed of 90mph and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 10.8 seconds. It accelerates on the move, cruises and tackles gradients with minimal power usage, and can climb slopes of up to one-in-three.
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