Kia Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Learn Electric Cars

Kia EV9 Electric SUV Partially Revealed Via Official Teasers

The upcoming Kia EV9 has been partially revealed via official teasers by the Korean carmaker. EV9 will sit above the existing and wildly successful EV6. In fact, the EV9 will be Kia’s flagship electric car based on the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform). We have seen the 7-seat electric SUV undergoing thorough and rigorous tests over the last year but the latest teaser reveals the final production version. The global premiere is slated for March 15, 2023. You might also like: 2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV – Specs, Range and Price Comparison Kia EV9 – Specs While the official figures will be out closer to the launch, we have an idea of what the Korean carmaker could equip the EV9 with. There could be three variants to choose from – a regular RWD, a long-range RWD and a performance-focused dual-motor AWD trim. As far as the battery capacity is concerned we might see a 100 kWh unit on the AWD and long-range RWD trims which would be the largest on any Kia EV ever. What we know is that it will support an 800 V electrical architecture which means that the DC ultra-fast charging will be capable of 350 kW charging. This will allow the EV to be charged upto 80% in around 20 mins. We could expect a driving range of around 300 miles (483 km) and the power figures could range from 200 hp to 400 hp. Kia EV9 Specs (expected) Battery 100 kWh Range 300 mi (483 km) Acceleration (0-100 km/h) (0-62 mph) 6 secs Power 200 hp – 400 hp DC Ultra-Fast Charging 350 kW Architecture 800 V Expected Specs of Kia EV9 You might also like: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison Kia EV9 – Dimensions The one thing we know from the concept is the dimensions. The electric SUV will be just under 5 m in length which will liberate a more-than-generous wheelbase of 3.1 m. Moreover, the flat floor will allow it to feel even more spacious which is a trait of the modern EVs. Kia EV9 Dimensions Length 4,929 mm (194 in) Width 2,055 mm (81 in) Height 1,790 mm (70 in) Wheelbase 3,100 mm (122 in) Kia EV9 Dimensions Interior and Features Hyundai Motor Group is focusing its attention on the use of sustainable and recyclable materials to develop the interior of its latest and futuristic EVs. As a result, the Kia EV9 will have no use of genuine leather but vegan leather and other sustainable materials including fishnet debris, recycled plastic water bottles, bio extracts and much more. Apart from that, there would be a large panoramic sunroof, a large infotainment display that could be connected to the instrument cluster to form a single seamless unit of glass (the concept features a 27-inch screen), V2L, Connected Car Tech Features with OTA Updates and Kia’s AutoMode for Autonomous Driving functions. You might also like: What Is Vehicle To Load (V2L) & Which EVs Have This Feature? Price While the official prices will be announced closer to the launch, there has been a survey that indicates that the electric SUV could retail in the vicinity of US$56,000 and US$73,000. Nevertheless, we shall update this post with the actual data once the Kia EV9 is revealed on March 15, 2023.

2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV Comparison

2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV – Specs, Range and Price Comparison

10 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

This post covers the comparison of the 2023 versions of the Hyundai KONA Electric and Kia Niro EV. Now, both these EVs are already established products across various international markets. These are converted models from ICE to electric. That helps keep the costs down compared to a fully electric car based on a dedicated electric platform. Each costing under $40,000 USD, we shall glance through the similarities and differences between the two. You might also like: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison 2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV – Specs Comparison In terms of powertrains, the KONA electric comes with a 64 kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery pack that powers an electric motor sending power to the front wheels. The total system output is a decent 201 hp and 290 lb-ft (393 Nm). It has a range of 258 miles (415 km) and charging to 80% using a 100 kW DC fast charger takes 47 mins. Acceleration from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) takes 6.4 secs. On the other hand, the Niro EV comes powered by a 64.8 kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery that also powers the front wheels via an electric motor. The power and torque stand at 201 hp and 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) respectively. The driving range is 253 miles (407 km) and Level 3 DC fast charging takes 43 mins to get charged (up to 80%). Acceleration from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) takes 7.1 secs. Specs Comparison KONA Electric Niro EV Drivetrain FWD FWD Battery 64 kWh 64.8 kWh Range 258 mi (415 km) 253 mi (407 km) Power 201 hp 201 hp Torque 290 lb-ft (393 Nm) 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) DC Fast Charging 47 mins (10-80%) 43 mins (10-80%) Acceleration (0-62 mph / 100 km/h) 6.4 secs 7.1 secs Specs Comparison You might also like: Cupra Born vs VW ID.3 – Which One Should You Pick? Dimensions Comparison When it comes to dimensions, the Niro EV has a significant advantage over the KONA Electric. The former is 4,420 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, 1,570 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,720 mm. On the other hand, the KONA Electric is 4,205 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, 1,570 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. Dimensions Niro EV KONA Electric Length 4,420 mm 4,205 mm Width 1,825 mm 1,800 mm Height 1,570 mm 1,570 mm Wheelbase 2,720 mm 2,600 mm Boot Capacity 651 litres 544 litres Dimensions Comparison You might also like: 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind vs Wave – Price & Features Comparison Price Comparison The 2023 Hyundai KONA Electric is the more affordable of the two with the base variant starting at $33,550 USD while the starting price of the 2023 Kia Niro EV is $39,450 USD. The $5,900 price difference gets you more of a car in terms of dimensions, boot capacity and road presence.

Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison

7 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

Hyundai Motor Group is on a mission to establish itself as a prominent player in this transition phase from traditional ICE-powered vehicles to EVs and has already grabbed a solid lead with its products. In this blog post, we shall do a Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 comparison in terms of specs and price. Both these EVs, essentially, come from the same parent company, Hyundai Motor Group. While the IONIQ is an all-electric sub-brand of Hyundai, Kia is its sister organization too. Launched on July 12, 2022, Hyundai IONIQ 6 has become a huge success in the international market. Its production takes place in South Korea at the Asan plant. The production of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 for the USA market will start in January 2023 and its sales will commence in March 2023. You might also like: Cupra Born vs VW ID.3 – Which One Should You Pick? Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs Comparison Before we begin, it must be noted that the IONIQ 6 has only been announced in the dual-motor AWD configuration with the larger 77.4 kWh battery pack. The single-motor variant with a smaller battery (53 kWh) will be launched in the coming months. Therefore, we shall compare it to the top trim of the Kia EV6 only. Both these EVs are based on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform). Specs Comparison Hyundai IONIQ 6 Kia EV6 Drivetrain 2WD/AWD 2WD/AWD Battery 77.4 kWh 77.4 kWh Power 239 kW (320 hp) 239 kW (320 hp) Torque 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) Range 320 miles (515 km) 274 miles (441 km) Acceleration (0-60 mph) 5.1 secs 5.1 secs 350 kW DC Fast Charging – 800 V (10%-80%) 20 mins 18 mins Drag Coeff. 0.21 0.28 Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs Comparison While these two will feature identical powertrains, the difference lies in their body types. Whereas the EV6 is a crossover SUV, the IONIQ 6 is an aerodynamically sound electric sedan that Hyundai calls an “Electric Streamliner”. The sheer design will alter the range and efficiency of the IONIQ 6. Therefore, you will be able to squeeze more out of the electric sedan compared to the electric crossover. The extended-range version will be launched later that will have a range of up to 382 miles (615 km). You might also like: Kia EV6 Light vs Wind vs GT-Line – Specs and Price Comparison Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Price Comparison The prices of the Kia EV6 range from $47,000 USD to $58,500 USD for the 2023 model. On the other hand, the estimated prices of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 would lie somewhere between $45,000 USD to $55,000 USD. Hence, there isn’t much to choose between the two in terms of prices. Price Comparison Kia EV6 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Base Trim $47,000 $45,000 (est.) Top Trim $58,500 $55,000 (est.) Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Price Comparison Verdict With the price constraints out of the way, it really boils down to the kind of body one prefers. There lies a clear distinction between the two. If you are someone who loves the rather imposing SUV-ish road presence, the EV6 might do the trick. On the other hand, if you want something a bit more unique with an understated and sophisticated design, the IONIQ 6 electric sedan might make more sense.

2023 Kia Niro EV Wind vs Wave – Price & Features Comparison

11 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The 2023 version of the Kia Niro EV starts at $39,450 USD for the Wind variant and tops up at $44,450 USD for the Wave trim. What extra do you get for $5,000 USD? Kia has launched the 2023 version of the Niro EV in two trims – Wind and Wave. Niro is a C-segment compact crossover that has been selling decently since its inception in 2016. Naturally, it was an ICE-powered vehicle back then. Like other major global carmakers, Kia converted it into an EV to capitalize on the evolving trend sooner rather than later. Now, Kia has the EV6 which is based on the dedicated E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture. You might also like: Hyundai Ioniq 7 – Expected Specs, Range, Features & More 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind vs Wave – Specs The electric crossover comes with a 64.8 kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery supplying energy to the electric motor powering the front wheels. The total power and torque output is 201 hp and 188 lb-ft (255 Nm). What is quite decent is the 253 miles (407 km) EPA-estimated range. Capable of 85 kW DC fast charging, the EV can be topped up from 10% to 80% in 43 mins. All these specs apply to both trims. 2023 Kia Niro EV Specs Drivetrain FWD Battery 64.8 kWh Range (EPA) 407 km (253 miles) Power / Torque 201 hp / 255 Nm (188 lb-ft) Charging (85 kW DC) 43 mins (10% to 80%) Acceleration (0-60 mph / 0-96 km/h) 7.1 secs 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind vs Wave – Specs You might also like: 2022 Kia EV6 Light vs Wind vs GT-Line – Specs and Price Comparison You might also like: Polestar 3 Electric SUV – Specs, Range, Price & Features Dimensions The Kia Niro EV is a compact crossover which is signified by its dimensions as well. Its 107.1-in long wheelbase liberates enough room for passengers to feel comfortable even during long journeys. 2023 Kia Niro EV Dimensions Length 174 in (4,420 mm) Width 71.9 in (1,826 mm) Height 61.8 in (1,570 mm) Wheelbase 107.1 in (2,720 mm) Ground Clearance 5.9 in (150 mm) Boot Capacity 22.8 cu-ft (646 litre) 2023 Kia Niro EV – Dimensions You might also like: Is Honda e The Perfect City EV? – Specs, Range & More! Features Comparison While the specs and dimensions of both trims are identical, there are some key differences in terms of features. The higher Wave trim comes with a 7-Speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Audio System, One-Touch Auto-Up/Down Front Power Windows, Digital Key, Auto-Dimming IRVM, Interior Lighting, LED Illuminated Sun Visor Vanity Mirrors, Perforated Vegan Leather Upholstery, 10-Way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Lumbar Adjustment, Driver’s Seat Memory Function with Ventilation and Highway Driving Assist 2. These are the functions that you will get for the additional $5,000 USD. Apart from that, both trims come with a 10.25-inch Touchscreen Infotainment Display with Navigation and Kia Connect, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth Connectivity, Voice Recognition, USB-C Charging, Wireless Phone Charging, Dual-Zone Auto Climate Control, Heated Seats, Vegan Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel, etc.

Hybrid Powertrains Full-Electric Drivetrains

Are Hybrid Powertrains Perfect To Bridge The Gap Between IC Engines & Full-Electric Drivetrains?

8 Comments / Hybrid / By LEC Team

The path from tailpipe pollution emitting vehicles to full-electric tailpipe-less vehicles should ideally traverse through hybrid powertrains. Evidently, the era of mass adoption of full-electric drivetrains is still a distant future which might make a strong case to incorporate hybrid powertrains into the existing mobility solutions equation. While a few countries are excessively focusing on the transformation from IC engines to electric powertrains, the reality of feasibility, affordability and charging infrastructure is hard to overlook. Hence, a detailed unbiased discussion is warranted. You might also like: Electric Car vs Gas Car – Why To Upgrade? How Many EVs Are There On The Road in 2022? Despite the number of EVs sold globally witnessing an exponential rise over the last couple of years, compared to the traditional cars in the world, it is still minuscule. Therefore, we must not get carried away after watching carmakers launch EVs after EVs every year. For context, there are over 1.45 billion total cars in the world in 2022 as per various reports. According to the Global EV Outlook Report 2022 by IEA, there are around 16.5 million EVs on the road in the first quarter of 2022. We could confidently confirm that EVs are just over 1% of all cars in the world in 2022. Issues With Mass Adoption of EVs Now, the list of issues with the mass adoption of EVs is rather long and extensive. If you are an automobile aficionado, you would probably already know about the challenges that the EV industry is facing. But if you are not, let us quickly take you through these. Affordability First and foremost, the main hurdle for an inordinate amount of people is the astronomically high initial prices of EVs. To put things into perspective, a similar car variant with similar features, dimensions, body, cabin and design would roughly cost twice in the EV version compared to the IC engine version. Now, most people use cars as a mere commodity to commute on a daily basis, and asking them to spend double the amount with the promise of saving the environment may not work. Additionally, most cars sold in the world belong to the entry-level or one level above that. This means that the percentage of popular opting for an above-average car is already very low. Hence, most of the target audience is lost just because of the initial price itself. They don’t even go to test drive an EV. You might also like: What Is Vehicle To Load (V2L) & Which EVs Have This Feature? Charging Infrastructure For those who do end up making up their minds to purchase an EV, the lack of charging infrastructure bothers them away. Even if you are lucky enough to have the money needed for an EV, the infrastructure around EVs is not in your hands. Hence, the fear of getting stranded on the freeways with no juice left in your vehicle can’t be overcome easily. And this is the reality of the entire world, excluding a handful of big cities in the world. Governments all around the world are working relentlessly toward developing the charging infrastructure needed to make mass adoption of EVs a reality. But it could easily take a decade to accomplish. So, the immediate relief in this aspect is also nigh-impossible. Safety Issues In recent times, we have seen EVs catching fire while driving or while charging in the parked position. While the number of such cases is extremely minute, the image that such incidents project causes anxiety among the potential buyers. Batteries of electric cars are simple chemical modules, and once they catch fire, the chemical reaction can’t be easily stopped. There have been instances where the batteries remained ablaze for upto 48 hours despite being washed down in the water. You might also like: Tesla Battery (4680) vs BYD Blade Battery – Comparison Emission Conundrum Although EVs don’t emit any smoke, or exhaust gases, the production of the batteries and charging stations do have a significantly large carbon footprint. The metals used in batteries like Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, etc. are also not readily available. These need to be extracted from the limited and disproportionate reserves located in a handful of countries in the world. There have been issues regarding the lack of ethical mining processes in Africa which defeats the very purpose that EVs are designed to solve. The production of electricity and batteries already cause huge pollution and has a large carbon footprint. Hence, it would be naive to think that EVs are zero-emission products. That is one aspect that a lot of people miss out on Understanding how hybrid powertrains could help in emission reduction without even needing full-electric drivetrains could be a great start. Battery Recycling Batteries have a regular lifespan of about 8 years. That is what the manufacturers offer as the warranty period too. It has not been 8 years since the exponential rise in EV sales. This means that we need to wait for at least 6-7 years before the issue of battery recycling or disposal becomes apparent. The batteries can’t simply be dumped or destroyed because of the huge amounts of toxic chemicals they are composed of. We have not yet experienced the full extent of damage disposing of so many batteries would cause. The only solution to this is if companies come up with recycling solutions in the meanwhile. Because once the large-scale battery disposing process begins, it would be catastrophic due to the land and water pollution. You might also like: 2022 BMW iX1 Electric Compact SUV – Interior, Specs, Release Date Could Hybrid Powertrains Be The Solution? In my opinion, hybrid powertrains are the perfect tools to buy some more time while the aforementioned issues are resolved. There are not too many modifications required in a regular car to make it into a hybrid vehicle. The electric motor and the battery could be used to aid the IC engine to emit less pollution and increase fuel economy. The electric

What Is Vehicle To Load (V2L) & Which EVs Have This Feature?

16 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

The latest EVs come equipped with Vehicle To Load (V2L) technology which could be a crucial factor to consider before buying an electric car. As a result of the relentless innovation with modern EVs, a feature like Vehicle To Load (V2L) is becoming quite prevalent and necessary. The industry experts and potential customers alike are constantly struggling with the range anxiety associated with electric cars. However, the V2L function deals with, essentially, the opposite end of the spectrum in that it allows external appliances to get charged with your EV as the power source. You might also like: Are Electric Car Chargers Universal – Types of Chargers What is Vehicle To Load (V2L)? V2L represents the bidirectional electric power flow using the battery of the EV. While it stores the energy that is supplied to it while charging, the V2L feature allows it to discharge it using an adapter to power external appliances like a mini-fridge, smartphone, laptops, electric water kettle, etc. In its future applications, the adapters and EVs with high power output capabilities can even power entire households. This is termed as Vehicle To Home (V2H). The software of some EVs support this feature which allows the DC power to get converted into AC power and used in external appliances. These adapters are capable of outputting 2.3 kW to 3.6 kW. You need to make sure that your EV comes with the adapter to utilize the V2L function. In some EVs, one is required to buy this adapter separately. You might also like: Is Electric Car Battery Safe, Fireproof, Waterproof and Short Circuit Proof? Applications of V2L A common environment where something like the V2L technology would certainly find massive application is on camping trips. People travel to remote areas for weekend getaways. In such scenarios where you are a bit far away from the civilisation, you could use your EV to power lights, chargers, speakers, coffee makers, etc. EVs have the build-in feature to stop charging external appliances if the battery gets below 20% to ensure that you get back comfortably. Most importantly, V2L could be used to power another EV that might be, unfortunately, stranded on the road for any reason. If someone runs out of range and the nearest charging station is just a few miles away, an EV with V2L can jack up the stranded vehicle to lend it a few miles to get to safety. Arguably, this could also be a major application of this feature. You might also like: Electric Car vs Gas Car – Why To Upgrade? Which EVs Have V2L Feature? There are not too many EVs in the market at the moment that come with this feature. MG ZS EV is one such car that is quite popular in the UK. For the U.S. market, the Korean car marquees, Hyundai and Kia offer the V2L feature in their respective EVs, the Ioniq 5 and EV6. The EGMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) supports V2L and the future products spawning out of it would definitely feature it. This platform also underpins the other brands under Hyundai Motor Group like Kia and Genesis. The upcoming Ford F-150 Lightning could also come equipped with this feature as it is a lifestyle pickup truck which is often involved in activities like towing and camping excursions. Something like V2L or V2H (in future) ought to come naturally to the iconic pickup trucks that are about to go electric.

2022 Kia EV6 Light vs Wind vs GT-Line – Specs and Price Comparison

11 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Kia EV6 comes with a varied combination of battery and powertrain combination with a broad range of prices to suit everyone’s needs. With so many variants to choose from, we bring a specs and prices comparison of the Kia EV6. Touted widely as one of the best all-rounder electric cars around, the Kia EV6 has everything going for it. Kia has been among the front runners in the EV space and the strategy and plans to achieve carbon neutrality by the end of the decade are well laid out. With the backing of its parent company, Hyundai Motor Group, the ingredients are all there. The EV6 has generated quite a buzz ever since the launch and we compare the three trims of the electric crossover, Light, Wind and GT-Line in terms of specs and price. You might also like: Is Electric Car Battery Safe, Fireproof, Waterproof and Short Circuit Proof? 2022 Kia EV6 Light vs Wind vs GT-Line – Specs Comparison The base Light trim of the EV6 carries a 58 kWh Li-Ion Polymer (LIPO) battery that powers the AC Synchronous Permanent Magnet electric motor at the rear wheels to produce 167 hp (125 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of peak power and torque respectively. The EPA rated drive range is 232 miles (373 km) with a top speed of 115 mph (185 kmph). The 0-60 mph sprint comes up in 8 seconds. Variant Light Wind & GT-Line (2WD) GT-Line (4WD) Battery 58 kWh 77.4 kWh 77.4 kWh Power 125 kW (167 hp) 168 kW (225 hp) 239 kW (320 hp) Torque 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) Range 232 miles (373 km) 310 miles (499 km) 274 miles (441 km) Acceleration (0-60 mph) 8 secs 7.2 secs 5.1 secs The Kia EV6 mid-trim (Wind) and top-trim (GT-Line) come with a 77.4 kWh high-density Li-Ion Polymer (LIPO) battery that feeds the AC Synchronous Permanent Magnet electric motor mounted at the rear wheels to produce 225 hp (168 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of peak power and torque respectively, with an EPA rated range of 310 miles (499 km). The 0-60 mph acceleration time is 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 115 mph (185 kmph). The 77.4 kWh battery powers the dual-motor setup in the e-AWD version with a combined output of 320 hp (239 kW) and 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) of peak power and torque respectively with an EPA rated range of 274 miles (441 km). Taking advantage of modern technology, the Kia EV6 boasts of the V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) function where the EV could act as the source to power external electronic appliances too. The 0-60 mph sprint takes a mere 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 117 mph (188 mph). The 11 kW AC charger takes 7 hours and 10 minutes to charge the battery completely, whereas the 350 kW DC fast charger is capable of filling the battery in brisk 18 minutes. 2022 Kia EV6 Wind vs GT-Line – Price Comparison While the base trim (Light) of the EV6 starts at $40,900, the mid Wind trim starts at $47,000 and the top GT-Line starts at $51,200. It must be noted that the Kia EV6 is available with federal tax benefits of upto $7,500 at the aforementioned prices making the proportion enticing indeed. These prices are excluding the destination charges of $1,215. Kia EV6 Variants Price EV6 Light (RWD) $ 40,900 EV6 Wind (RWD) $ 47,000 EV6 Wind (AWD) $ 50,900 EV6 GT-Line (RWD) $ 51,200 EV6 GT-Line (AWD) $ 55,900 Verdict While the Wind and GT-Line trims of the Kia EV6 have similar specifications, the slight premium would get you a few extra goodies in terms of styling that will be visible on the inside and the outside. The GT-Line is designed in a bit sporty manner compared to the regular Wind variant. If you are looking for an aesthetically sporty EV, the GT-Line is for you. Otherwise, it is advised to save $4,000 by going for the Wind trim.

Kia

© Copyright 2022 Learn Electric Cars. All Rights Reserved.