Not only the new Kia Soul EV gets more range, it’s also more efficient, even with a heavier battery.

 

Kia-world.net did a nice roundup of the battery’s changes. Let’s see:

Current battery

• Rated capacity: 75 Ah (37,5 Ah x 2)
• Battery weight: 277 kg
• Rated voltage: 360 V
• Number of cells: 192 (96s2p)
• Total battery capacity: 27 kWh (192 x 37,5 Ah x 3,75 V)

New battery

• Nominal capacity: 80 Ah (40 Ah x 2)
• Battery weight: 290 kg
• Rated voltage: 375 V
• Number of cells: 200 (100s2p)
• Total battery capacity: 30 kWh (200 x 40 Ah x 3,75 V)

 

Considering that most DC fast charges are capped by the Amps, the battery voltage increase will probably make the new Kia Soul EV charge at a higher rate.

 

 

While the battery capacity increases 11 % from 27 to 30 kWh, the range increases by a higher margin. Let’s see:

Current battery

• NEDC range: 212 km
• EPA range: 93 miles (150 km)
• South Korean cycle: 148 km

New battery

• NEDC range: 250 km – 18 % increase
• EPA range (not confirmed yet): 113 miles (182 km)
• South Korean cycle: 180 km – 22 % increase

 

Both South Korean and the EPA test cycles are very similar, this is why I estimate that the EPA range will increase by the same margin.

 

Now let’s compare the range and efficiency figures in the South Korean test cycle.

Electric car	Range			Efficiency
	Combined	City	Highway	Combined	City	Highway
2017 Kia Soul EV	148 km	166 km	130 km	20 kWh/100 km	17,86 kWh/100 km	22,73 kWh/100 km
2018 Kia Soul EV	180 km	208 km	156 km	19,23 kWh/100 km	16,67 kWh/100 km	22,22 kWh/100 km

 

It’s amazing how much efficient are Kia’s and Hyundai’s electric powertrains, this is especially surprising considering that the Kia Soul has the aerodynamics of a brick.

 

If the EPA range is confirmed to be 113 miles (182 km), the new 2018 Kia Soul EV finally surpasses the – now outdated – 2017 Nissan Leaf with the 30 kWh battery and gets a much similar range to some other electric cars.

 

• 2017 BMW i3 BEV (94 Ah battery): 114 miles (183 km)
• 2017 Ford Focus Electric: 115 miles (185 km)
• 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric: 124 miles (200 km)
• 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf: 125 miles (201 km)

 

All the electric cars listed above have an EPA range less than 200 miles and need price drops to become more appealing. This is exactly what will happen when more higher range electric cars start to appear and it’s another reason why the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Nissan Leaf 2 and Tesla Model 3 are very important, even to the ones that will not buy them.

 

Despite the very un-aerodynamic shape, this is an EV that I really like – as most of Kia/Hyundai cars. What about you?

 

 

More info:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=PowerSearch&year1=2017&year2=2018&minmsrpsel=0&maxmsrpsel=0&city=0&highway=0&combined=0&cbvtelectric=Electric&YearSel=2017-2018&MakeSel=&MarClassSel=&FuelTypeSel=&VehTypeSel=Electric&TranySel=&DriveTypeSel=&CylindersSel=&MpgSel=000&sortBy=Comb&Units=&url=SearchServlet&opt=new&minmsrp=0&maxmsrp=0&minmpg=&maxmpg=&rowLimit=10