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STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Kia is putting its upcoming Soul EV through a winter testing programme ahead of its launch later in 2014.
Engineers are subjecting the car to the most extreme sub-zero conditions that Soul EV owners could experience during frigid conditions.
200KM EV RANGE?
The Soul EV is powered by an 81.4kW electric motor and a high-capacity 27kW-hour lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The motor sends power to the front wheels and Kia claims the car can reach 100km/h in less than 12 seconds and reach 144km/h. Kia is aiming for a driving range of 200km+.
The primary focus for the vehicle's validation test in Swedish Lapland is, however, the introduction of advance and power-saving heating and ventilation (save power, more range, geddit?).
The automaker will implement four new heating, ventilation, and air con technologies designed to reduce battery use in the Soul EV – a new heat pump, smart air induction control, individual ventilation (driver only) and scheduled ventilation.
NEW HEAT PUMP
The heat pump use waste heat from the aircon and electrical systems to improve the energy efficiency of the HVAC system and the vehicle’s ability to heat up the cabin. The system, - a compressor, evaporator and condenser - lets the HVAC system harness that heat.
Kia said: “By reducing the load on the battery, the heat pump cuts energy consumption from the HVAC system and increases the overall driving range of the Soul EV.”
DRIVER-ONLY VENTILATION
A new smart air intake system monitors and controls the volume of air entering and leaving the car as well as cabin humidity. The push-button driver-only mode shuts of air to the (presumably empty!) front passenger area.
There's also a new system to pre-set ventilation and aircon. Using the vehicle’s connected app, the driver can schedule the car to pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin 30 minutes before it is needed - but only works if the car is at a charging point.
The Soul EV will be Kia’s first battery car for global sale. Production will start towards the end of 2014.
Engineers are subjecting the car to the most extreme sub-zero conditions that Soul EV owners could experience during frigid conditions.
200KM EV RANGE?
The Soul EV is powered by an 81.4kW electric motor and a high-capacity 27kW-hour lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The motor sends power to the front wheels and Kia claims the car can reach 100km/h in less than 12 seconds and reach 144km/h. Kia is aiming for a driving range of 200km+.
The primary focus for the vehicle's validation test in Swedish Lapland is, however, the introduction of advance and power-saving heating and ventilation (save power, more range, geddit?).
The automaker will implement four new heating, ventilation, and air con technologies designed to reduce battery use in the Soul EV – a new heat pump, smart air induction control, individual ventilation (driver only) and scheduled ventilation.
NEW HEAT PUMP
The heat pump use waste heat from the aircon and electrical systems to improve the energy efficiency of the HVAC system and the vehicle’s ability to heat up the cabin. The system, - a compressor, evaporator and condenser - lets the HVAC system harness that heat.
Kia said: “By reducing the load on the battery, the heat pump cuts energy consumption from the HVAC system and increases the overall driving range of the Soul EV.”
DRIVER-ONLY VENTILATION
A new smart air intake system monitors and controls the volume of air entering and leaving the car as well as cabin humidity. The push-button driver-only mode shuts of air to the (presumably empty!) front passenger area.
There's also a new system to pre-set ventilation and aircon. Using the vehicle’s connected app, the driver can schedule the car to pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin 30 minutes before it is needed - but only works if the car is at a charging point.
The Soul EV will be Kia’s first battery car for global sale. Production will start towards the end of 2014.
