2018 Kia Soul EV has more range from 30-kWH battery, leaked docs claim

[fanbanlo]

A pair of leaked documents from Kia indicates the brand is fitting a 30-kilowatt-hour battery in the Soul EV as a replacement for the existing 27 kWh pack, according to Kia-World. The model’s electric motor continues to produce 109 horsepower (81.4 kilowatts) and 210 pound-feet (285 Newton-meters).

According to one of these documents, Kia reports the larger battery boosts the model’s range in the Korean testing cycle to 112 miles (180 kilometers) – versus 92 miles (148 km) currently. A leak from a dealer in Germany indicates the Soul EV would be able to go 155 miles (250 km) based on the New European Driving Cycle’s evaluation – as opposed to 132 miles (212 km) now.

The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States currently rates the Soul EV at a range of 93 miles. Assuming similar gains for the EV in that testing cycle, the maximum driving distance would increase to around 113 miles.

These tweaks would be the first major mechanical upgrades for the Soul EV. However, the company added some minor equipment improvements for the 2016 model year, including a new entry-level model. The automaker also offered an upgrade for the infotainment system by supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.


Leaked Soul EV Document
After the battery improvement, the Soul EV still isn’t a very close competitor among the latest crop of EVs. For example, the Chevrolet Bolt has an EPA-rated range of 238 miles (383 km). In the near future, the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Hyundai’s upcoming electric model should top 200 miles (322 km) on a charge, too.

http://insideevs.com/2018-kia-soul-ev-gets-slight-battery-upgrade/

 

[fanbanlo]

2018 Kia Soul EV Gets 30 kwh Battery, Range Boost

EXCLUSIVE: 2018 Kia Soul EV to incorporate a 30 kwh battery pack & increased driving range!
The all-electric Kia Soul EV has been on the market for around 2 years, and in that time, very little has changed with the vehicle.
Sure, there have been a couple of trim level upgrades, but nothing major.
This means that the battery and powertrain are the same now as they were 2 years ago.
That is all set to change when the 2018 Soul EV comes to market.
2018 Kia Soul EV increase in rangeSpecifically, it will be the Soul EV battery that will be getting an upgrade, if leaked documents out of Germany are to be believed.
It really was only a matter of time before the current 27 kwh battery received an upgrade, but we have been impatiently waiting for official word.
This may not have been how we expected to get it, but the blurry document out of a German Kia dealership reveals that the Kia Soul EV battery capacity will go from 27 to 30kwh (usable) on the 2018 model.
Kia Soul EV 2018 specs document
2018 Kia Soul electric vehicle specs While this is by no means a huge upgrade, it is still a welcome one that will keep the Soul EV competitive in the fast evolving all-electric vehicle segment.
A bigger battery also means a longer range on a full charge.
The current Soul EV comes with a 93-mile range, but the extra capacity should see the upcoming 2018 model top the 100-mile mark.
According to the leaked document, the NEDC range increases from 212 to 250 km.
Current battery
– Rated capacity 75 Ah (37.5 * 2)
– Battery weight 277 kg
– Rated voltage: 360 V
– Number of cells: 192
New battery
– Nominal capacity 80 Ah (40 * 2)
– Battery weight 290 kg
– Rated voltage: 375 V
– Number of cells: 200
New driving range of 2018 Kia Soul EV
NEDC range increases from 212 to 250 km
EPA range increases from 93 to 100+ miles (to be updated)
What is the official release date of the 2018 Soul EV?
There has been no word on when the 30kWh 2018 Kia Soul EV will hit the market, but our best guess is that it will be later this year.
We might well see the new model as soon as April at the New York Motor Show, or perhaps later in the year, with the LA show in November another option.
2018 Soul electric vehicle availability
The all electric Soul boxy car is currently available only at certain dealerships in:
California
Oregon
Washington
Georgia
Texas
Hawaii
New York
New Jersey
Connecticut
Maryland
There are no reports about the expanded availability of the 2018 Soul electric vehicle at this point, but that would sure do good to its U.S. market sales.
Stay tuned. We will keep this Kia news post updated! (Source: Goingelectric.de)

http://www.kia-world.net/2018-electric-kia-soul-ev-range-battery/