Kia prepping Washington and Oregon for Soul EV launch; dealers and charging network w/ fast-chargers
09 July 2015
Kia Motors America (KMA) is continuing its progressive launch of the Soul EV and adding to the electric vehicle ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest with 20 Soul EV-certified dealers and a charging network. Of the 20 dealers in the region, 12 will be located in Washington and eight in Oregon.
In addition to each being equipped with two Level-2 chargers (40 total in the PNW region), 10 of the dealers will also be up-fitted with 50kW Signet FC50K-CC-S DC fast chargers, increasing Kia’s overall network of fast-charging stations. This fast charger can charge the Soul EV’s battery from empty to 80% in about 33 minutes. As an added value, select Kia dealers will allow Soul EV owners to charge at no cost.
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Kia’s addition of six new DC fast chargers to Washington’s already-existing network of 414 DC chargers will increase fast-charger availability by 40% in the Seattle metro area and 15 percent statewide. The four new chargers added to Oregon’s current network of 815 DC fast chargers will increase fast-charger availability by 15% in the Portland metro area and 5% statewide.
Similar to California’s infrastructure program, Kia has partnered with Greenlots in the Pacific Northwest to offer flexibility and on-the-go access to large networks of charging stations. Through the Greenlots partnership, Soul EV owners will be provided a Kia “ChargeUp” Card, giving them access to multiple DC fast charger networks.
When it comes to locating charging stations, the Soul EV offers UVO EVServices, Kia’s telematics system. Available at no cost for the first five years of ownership, UVO EV Services utilizes an embedded connectivity solution powered by the Verizon wireless network and an integral smartphone app to provide Soul EV owners with an innovative, real-time, in-vehicle connectivity experience that includes navigation and a number of added convenience features.
Washington dealers authorized to sell Soul EV include Auburn Valley Kia, Auburn; Hanson Kia, Olympia; Jerry Smith Kia, Burlington; Smith Kia of Bellingham, Bellingham; Dick Hannah Kia, Vancouver; West Hills Kia, Bremerton; Kia of Puyallup, Puyallup; Performance Kia; Everett; Chuck Olson Kia, Shoreline; Renton Kia, Renton; Car Pros Kia, Tacoma; Lee Johnson Kia, Kirkland.
Oregon dealers authorized to sell Soul EV include Kiefer Kia, Eugene; Butler Kia, Medford; Weston Kia, Gresham; Team Kia of Bend, Bend; Beaverton Kia, Beaverton; Ron Tonkin Kia, Gladstone; Power Kia, Salem; Broadway Kia, Portland.
The 2016 Soul EV is Kia’s first all-electric car to be sold in the US. The Soul EV earned an EPA-estimated range rating of 93 miles (150 km) when the 27 kWh, 360 V, 192-cell lithium-ion polymer battery is fully charged. The regenerative braking system captures up to 12% of the Soul EV’s kinetic energy when coasting and braking to also help recharge the battery.
Soul EV owners can choose between four different regeneration modes: “Drive” or “Brake” modes in Eco-mode “Off,” and “Drive” or “Brake” modes in Eco-mode “On” (the “Brake” setting with Eco-mode “On” produces the most regeneration).
The Li-ion battery features a nickel-cobalt-manganese cathode, which helps increase capacity, and a graphite-based anode, which increases durability while reducing weight. Additionally, the cells use a gel electrolyte, and each cell contains ceramic separators to improve thermal stability and safety.
The Soul EV plugs into any standard 120v outlet or a conventional 240v EV charger. Two charging ports are standard, including a SAE J1772 port for Level-1 and Level-2 AC charging, and a CHAdeMO 480v DC fast-charging port, both found behind a sliding door located in the grille.
The rate of increase in the installations of fast and not so fast chargers is a giant step forward for future BEVs and improved range PHEVs.
I would still like to see the day of really fast (under 5 minutes) chargers and 150 kWh light affordable batteries for extended range (500 miles) BEVs.
Simultaneously, many countries will have to move out of CPPs and NGPPs to clean REs and/or NPPs if high cost can be managed
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 July 2015 at 06:38 AM
This car with double the range (~180 miles) would make it practical for me. Next version, I hope.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 09 July 2015 at 08:45 AM
You'll be waiting a while Harvey. 5 minute charge for 150 kWh battery would be 1,800,000 Watts, which would require a cable with 3" conductors. So a 8" thick or better charge cable including insulation. And an entire electric substation to feed it.
Considering that anyone with a 150 kWh battery would have travelled 400 miles before they need to refuel, about 8 hours or more driving time most places, what is the likelihood people would really need another 8 hours of travel time within 5 minutes?
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 09 July 2015 at 09:54 AM
The new future TESLA S-100D (in 2018?) may/will match the current Toyota FCEV range on mild weather days? Matching charging time is another matter.
However, we may have to wait for the TESLA S-150D (2020+?) to match the range of the Toyota current FECEV on cold weather days. Matching charging time is another matter?
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 July 2015 at 02:11 PM
e-c-i...FCEVs may be closer to ICEVs replacement, specially in very cold areas, at least until larger very quick charge batteries become available and affordable.
Very large battery packs could be temporary split (/4+)and charging points-connectors could be multiplied (by 4x+ to match). Splitting loads would reduce charging time from 4+ channel chargers..
Many locomotives, ships and airplanes use shared energy sources to solve the same problem. Oil tankers use multiple loading pipes and pumps to reduce loading time.
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 July 2015 at 05:40 PM
That's a good point Harvey, you could use multiple cables to charge a double battery at 2x present speed with current technology. But it still begs the question. How many people really need turn times that fast more than a few times a year. There's a point at which taking a plane is cheaper, 10x faster, and more convenient. What percentage of the population really drives 8 hours 2x back to back in a passenger vehicle? What would the be willing to pay for that service? My guess is not enough to make a very big market. Renting a very nice SUV would be way cheaper if you really need to haul kids and cargo once a year to the wilds of Montana.
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 09 July 2015 at 11:32 PM
As someone who lurks on TMC, I learned recently that Tesla has been working on liquid cooled cables to permit further 135Kw and beyond charging capability.
The latest problem has been congestion at superchargers. These are now being located ever closer towards residential areas such that newbie owners intend never to charge at home but drive 3 miles or so to the "free charger".
Tesla is also considering the use of valets during peak periods so that owners are less inclined to have a coffee and leave the car unattended and thus blocking further use of that station until they return.
Posted by: T2 | 10 July 2015 at 08:31 AM
The Tesla Supercharhing congestion issue is a product of a policy flaw, very easily fixed by better policy and a software update. No valets needed.
Restrict local access to superchargers to some reasonable number of times per year. Charge people hefty parking fees for overstaying their charge time by more than 15 minutes.
I've never been seriously inconvenienced by SC congestion. But as the Tesla population grows, these simple rules would preserve the SC and parking spaces for the purpose intended.
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 10 July 2015 at 09:35 AM
e-c-I....the idea is to electrify without going backward in comfort, utilisation capabilities etc.
Our current HEVs do 800 to 1000 KM (@ around 5.2L/1--KM) in great comfort, in all kind of weather and that's what our future BEV or FCEV will have to do.
We will NOT buy a short range BEV and stop every 75 miles for slow charges. I'm not that patient.
FCEVs with 300+ miles range could do as soon as clean H2 facilities become available at around $6.00/Kg.
Posted by: HarveyD | 10 July 2015 at 11:42 AM
800 to 1000 Km... that's what our future BEV or FCEV will have to do.
Harvey if the aim is really to get mass adoption, as Elon Musk maintains, then larger batteries are not the answer. The EV has to be affordable and comments similar to yours will continually move the goal posts. Get used to it. What we have now works. I know it is difficult to relinquish the oil age but you will have to get used to the idea that for the most part HEVs are just a transitory technology phase. When it becomes necessary to tap into an energy source even the humble 110Vac socket will always be a lot more plentiful than the gas station and as for gas stations I expect them to become fewer as the EV population grows.
I think you may have missed that part of the program wherein with an EV you always leave home with a FULL TANK. Allow your home charging to become the gas station that way the worry to make that special trip to seek one out just goes away..
Posted by: T2 | 10 July 2015 at 03:18 PM
Harvey, there's no way to get around the fact that you're proposing in H2 fuel a phenomenally expensive vehicle technology and infrastructure to solve a "problem" experienced by a vanishingly small percentage of the population, and one that even very strict environmental regulation would permit to be solved by gasoline or natural gas (because it would be used so infrequently vs total miles traveled).
Ok, I understand that you individually might be impatient as you say. Fair enough. But you didn't say how much you'd be willing to pay to drive 16 hours in a single day with a single five minute stop. Because unless you've got some fairy dust to sprinkle around, you'll need a very large pile of cash.
The rest of us are going to want to drive on $0.06 per kWh, not $6 per kg - if we are ever given that low of a price for H2, which seems unlikely, since there will be so few producers and distributors. Electricity, on the other hand, will have so many clean renewable sources over time, including most people's home and work parking lot rooftops, that the current downward pricing trend will make it very difficult to beat.
You want an H2 fuel infrastructure? Knock yourself out. Just don't do it with my tax dollars.
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 11 July 2015 at 09:38 AM
e.c.i....I'm very pro BEVs for all moderate climat areas where you can use them year round and get decent range with a 100+ kWh and relatively slow recharges.
I also admit that post 2020 batteries and BEVs will do better and may meet our very cold weather conditions.
Currently, I would need Teslas S125D or S150D to replace our older technolgy HEVs and it would probably cost 3.5X to 4X as much.
FCEVs may be a lower cost solution for us because we have plenty of very low cost surplus Hydro-Wind REs to make clean low cost H2. One very quick H2 refill per week or so would be acceptable to most of us. We allready pay close to $6.00/gal for dirty fossil fuel. Nobody would really mind payin the equivalent for clean H2 made with our surplus clean electricity.
Posted by: HarveyD | 11 July 2015 at 01:20 PM