The Pacific Northwest Just Got Greener! Kia Soul EV is Here
Eco-conscious residents in the Pacific Northwest now have a new option to consider when buying an electric vehicle. Kia introduced the Soul EV to California last year, and now they’re bringing this trendy vehicle to the residents of Washington and Oregon. The Soul EV is a perfect fit for the think green lifestyle of the northwest, as well as being one of the roomiest EVs on the market, perfect for hauling bikes or paddleboards.
Recently I joined Kia in downtown Seattle to learn about the new 2015 Soul EV, as well as taking one out for a little road journey.
I’ll note that I was amazed at how spacious the Soul EV felt. Even with my driving partner Parks at the wheel, who is far taller than my 5’9″, he had plenty of space and didn’t feel cramped in the driver’s seat. As a passenger, there’s plenty of space for your gear and legs, and even rear seat passengers will enjoy comfortable seating. The tall height of the Soul definitely helps with additional head room, giving the vehicle a more open and spacious feel.
Driving the Soul EV has definitely made me a fan! I’ve driven a hybrid recently, and I have to say I prefer the all electric feel and handling versus the gas & electric motor of a hybrid. If my lifestyle involved a daily commute to the city, I’d seriously be shopping for one of these vehicles. The Soul EV has an EPA estimated range of 93 miles and an EPA MPGe of 92 miles highway and 120 miles city for a combined mileage of 105 miles. This makes the Soul EV lead it’s class and is thanks to the Soul EV’s state-of-the-art 27kWh air-cooled, 200-watt-hour/kg Lithium Ion Polymer battery, located under the floor.
The Soul EV makes charging easy by plugging into any standard 120v outlet or a conventional 240v EV charger. Two charging ports are found behind a sliding door located in the front grille, the dual ports offer flexibility and increase the Soul EV’s go-anywhere appeal, making it more convenient to charge inside the owner’s garage or when on the road. Recharging times vary from 24 hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 120v outlet to under five hours when plugged into a 240v outlet. An 80-percent charge can be achieved from empty in as little as 33 minutes with a 50 kW-output DC fast charger. Kia has partnered with three charger providers – Bosch, Leviton and AeroVironment™ – which gives Soul EV buyers an opportunity to select the unit best suited to their in-home needs. And charging at home can be programed to take advantage of cheaper electricity price times during the middle of the night, making charging the 27kWh battery a economical option. Just think of all that gas money you’ll be saving!
Another amazing aspect of driving an all-electric vehicle is that you become a more conscientious driver as you try to conserve ever bit of battery life. Supposedly there are even apps you can install that make driving the Soul EV like a game where you earn points for driving in a more energy efficient manner. Fun for you and great for the environment!
Have you ever considered an electric vehicle? If you’re interested, be sure to visit one of the 12 Washington or 8 Oregon Kia dealerships that now have the Kia Soul EV on offer. You can get a great deal on a lease for only $249 / month for the Soul EV and $279 / month for the EV+.
Thank you Kia for hosting me for this event to learn more about the new Kia Soul EV. No compensation was provided and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
