Kia Soul EV will plug into Sky DC fast chargers, EZ-Charge network
Tue, Sep 2 2014
While we don't yet know all of the monetary details quite yet – Kia says that "pricing structures and incentives" for the new EV will be coming later this month – but it appears that Soul EV buyers will be able to access the EZ-Charge network and there will also be something called a Kia ChargeUp card available. The CHAdeMO-compatible Soul EV is due to arrive in the third quarter of 2014 and the Korean company has high hopes for the car in the US. Take a closer look at the car in this video and read the announcement below.
Greenlots is a San Francisco-based company that is trying to make vehicle charging as easy and open as possible. Last year, it helped with the installation of 13 DC fast chargers in the greater Vancouver, BC area.
Kia Motors America Selects Greenlots to Provide EV Charging Access and Networking for 2015 Soul EV Rollout
Kia to rollout Greenlots' SKY Smart Charging™ platform for seamless charging experience.
SAN FRANCISCO – September 2, 2014 – Greenlots, a global provider of open standards-based technology solutions for electric vehicle (EV) networks, is partnering with Kia Motors America (KMA) and ABB, a global leader in power and automation technologies, to offer DC fast-chargers (DCFCs) at select Kia dealerships on the West Coast for the soon-to-launch 2015 Kia Soul EV. The partnership illustrates the increasing role interoperability among EV charging technology networks plays in meeting pricing flexibility demands from automakers and providing a seamless experience for EV owners.
Unveiled in February 2014 at the Chicago Auto Show and rolling out in the third quarter of 2014, the Kia Soul EV is the centerpiece of Kia's Clean Mobility program, and bolsters KMA's line of environmentally conscious vehicles offering drivers an alternative to gasoline-powered transportation. The 2015 Soul EV is Kia's first ever all-electric, zero-emissions car to be sold in the U.S. Beginning in the third quarter of 2014, Kia will roll out Greenlots' SKY Smart Charging™ platform to its dealerships in California. The new DCFC stations will allow Kia Soul EV owners to charge their vehicles from empty to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. Soul EV owners can find EZCharge locations via Kia's UVO EVServices app or the 8-inch touch screen inside the vehicle, and pay for charging with their Kia ChargeUp card.
"Kia is very excited for the launch of our first-ever all-electric vehicle in the United States, and we are confident that our partnership with Greenlots is connecting our customers to a seamless and reliable network, " said Steve Kosowski, manager of long range planning and strategy, Kia Motors America. "Soul EV owners will have their charging needs met not only through the growing number of DC fast chargers within the EZ-Charge networks, but also the capabilities that Greenlots is providing to our Soul EV dealers, allowing for convenience and range confidence in their charging needs."
Leveraging Greenlots' open standards-based platform, top automakers like Kia can determine their own pricing models, while allowing drivers to roam across a variety of networks through EZ-Charge, a network of public charging stations. Pricing structures and incentives for the Kia Soul will be announced in conjunction with its 2015 model rollout in September.
On the heels of its partnership with BMW to provide charging technology for its newly launched i3 and i8 EVs, this announcement with Kia for the widely-anticipated 2015 Soul EV positions Greenlots as the go-to platform for EV success worldwide with charging networks in more than 13 countries across the globe.
"Because SKY is open standards based, Greenlots offers its automotive partners the ability to protect infrastructure in the face of future changes with a more sustainable solution" said Brett Hauser, CEO of Greenlots. "We're honored to support Kia in offering Soul EV drivers a fun, hassle-free charging experience."
About Greenlots
Greenlots is a global provider of open standards-based technology solutions for electric vehicle (EV) networks and grid management. Designed to answer the needs of site hosts offering workplace and public charging applications, Greenlots' SKY Smart Charging™ platform is a robust network management solution that utilizes Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), the largest open standard for charger-to-network communications. SKY is the only charging network to be OpenADR 2.0b certified and enables utilities and site hosts to work together on demand response programs, leveraging EVs as a grid resource and avoiding costly energy infrastructure upgrades. Greenlots is headquartered in San Francisco and has deployed solutions in 13 countries around the globe. Visit www.greenlots.com for more information or follow us on Twitter @greenlots.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and surpassed the 500,000 annual sales mark for the second consecutive year in 2013 following the launch of seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the flagship K900 rear-drive sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States. Kia's U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima and Sorento and is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA RAMPS UP DC FAST CHARGING NETWORK IN PREPARATION FOR ARRIVAL OF 2015 SOUL EV
Network of 17 new DC fast chargers across California makes charging quick and easy
Kia partners with top industry charging and network providers to support EV buyers
IRVINE, Calif., September 2, 2014 – Kia Motors America (KMA) is kicking off the implementation of a robust charging network in advance of the Soul EV going on sale in California during the third quarter of this year. With Kia's addition of 17 new DC fast chargers to California's already-existing network of 198, charger availability will be increased nearly nine percent statewide by year-end. KMA's EV charging infrastructure plan provides Soul EV buyers with broad coverage, flexibility and excellent support, and Kia's networking partnership with Greenlots will connect customers to DC fast chargers in convenient locations throughout California. Select Soul EV dealers in Northern and Southern California will be fitted with multiple Level 2 240v chargers and ABB's 50kW Terra 53 CJ DC fast charger, which can charge the Soul EV's battery from empty to 80 percent in about 33 minutes, to help build range confidence. Designed for the "charge and go" segment, the Terra 53 multi-standard DC charging station is ideal for use at car dealerships, fuel stations and high-turnover parking applications. The Kia dealership locations with available charging stations will be announced closer to the Soul EV's on-sale date later this year, and following the California launch of the Soul EV, select additional markets are set to come online in 2015.
"The Soul EV is a key vehicle within Kia's 'Clean Mobility' program, and having access to Level 2 and an increased number of DC fast chargers at select Kia dealerships is an opportunity for us to provide value to Soul EV owners, signaling Kia's commitment to the growing EV market," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA. "Our customers are making a sincere effort to be eco-conscious, and Kia is committed to delivering both flexible and convenient charging options to Soul EV owners."
Kia has partnered with Greenlots to offer flexibility and on-the-go access to large networks of charging stations via the EZ-Charge program, making the Soul EV ownership experience refreshingly simple and charging easily accessible. Through the Greenlots partnership, Soul EV owners will be provided a "Kia ChargeUp Card," giving them access to DC fast chargers via Greenlots' SKY™ network system. Soul EV owners can easily locate charging stations via Kia's free UVO EVServices1 telematics app through their smartphone or the standard 8-inch touchscreen inside the vehicle.
Partnerships have also been forged with Bosch, Leviton® and Aerovironment™ to serve as Level 2 at-home charging options2 for owners and also for Kia dealers. Recharging times vary from under five hours when plugged into a 240-volt outlet to about 24 hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 120-volt outlet. Regardless of their charging preference, Soul EV buyers will have the best in variety and value through high-quality, efficient and reliable products and services from each partner.
About the 2015 Soul EV
The 2015 Soul EV is Kia's first ever all-electric, zero-emissions car to be sold in the U.S. The Soul EV offers the fun and vibrant styling that customers have grown to love about the gasoline-powered model but with a number of interior and exterior enhancements that are unique to the EV. The Soul EV gets an impressive 80-100 miles of real-world range when the 27kWh, 360v, 192-cell lithium-ion polymer battery is fully charged, and the regenerative braking system captures up to 12 percent 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 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 significantly improve thermal stability and safety.
The Soul EV makes charging easy by plugging 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. Found behind a sliding door located in the grille, the dual ports offer flexibility and increase the Soul EV's go-anywhere appeal, making it more convenient to charge inside the owner's garage or when on the road.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and surpassed the 500,000 annual sales mark for the second consecutive year in 2013 following the launch of seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K900** flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona midsize multi-purpose vehicle, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States. Kia's U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.
Information about KMA and its full vehicle line-up is available at www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.
*The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
1No subscription fee for UVO EVServices. No charge for the UVO EVServices app. App uses your smartphone cellular data service. Normal cellular service rates will apply.
2Home charging equipment sold separately.
** 2015 K900 V8 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability.
Kia to rollout Greenlots' SKY Smart Charging™ platform for seamless charging experience.
SAN FRANCISCO – September 2, 2014 – Greenlots, a global provider of open standards-based technology solutions for electric vehicle (EV) networks, is partnering with Kia Motors America (KMA) and ABB, a global leader in power and automation technologies, to offer DC fast-chargers (DCFCs) at select Kia dealerships on the West Coast for the soon-to-launch 2015 Kia Soul EV. The partnership illustrates the increasing role interoperability among EV charging technology networks plays in meeting pricing flexibility demands from automakers and providing a seamless experience for EV owners.
Unveiled in February 2014 at the Chicago Auto Show and rolling out in the third quarter of 2014, the Kia Soul EV is the centerpiece of Kia's Clean Mobility program, and bolsters KMA's line of environmentally conscious vehicles offering drivers an alternative to gasoline-powered transportation. The 2015 Soul EV is Kia's first ever all-electric, zero-emissions car to be sold in the U.S. Beginning in the third quarter of 2014, Kia will roll out Greenlots' SKY Smart Charging™ platform to its dealerships in California. The new DCFC stations will allow Kia Soul EV owners to charge their vehicles from empty to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. Soul EV owners can find EZCharge locations via Kia's UVO EVServices app or the 8-inch touch screen inside the vehicle, and pay for charging with their Kia ChargeUp card.
"Kia is very excited for the launch of our first-ever all-electric vehicle in the United States, and we are confident that our partnership with Greenlots is connecting our customers to a seamless and reliable network, " said Steve Kosowski, manager of long range planning and strategy, Kia Motors America. "Soul EV owners will have their charging needs met not only through the growing number of DC fast chargers within the EZ-Charge networks, but also the capabilities that Greenlots is providing to our Soul EV dealers, allowing for convenience and range confidence in their charging needs."
Leveraging Greenlots' open standards-based platform, top automakers like Kia can determine their own pricing models, while allowing drivers to roam across a variety of networks through EZ-Charge, a network of public charging stations. Pricing structures and incentives for the Kia Soul will be announced in conjunction with its 2015 model rollout in September.
On the heels of its partnership with BMW to provide charging technology for its newly launched i3 and i8 EVs, this announcement with Kia for the widely-anticipated 2015 Soul EV positions Greenlots as the go-to platform for EV success worldwide with charging networks in more than 13 countries across the globe.
"Because SKY is open standards based, Greenlots offers its automotive partners the ability to protect infrastructure in the face of future changes with a more sustainable solution" said Brett Hauser, CEO of Greenlots. "We're honored to support Kia in offering Soul EV drivers a fun, hassle-free charging experience."
About Greenlots
Greenlots is a global provider of open standards-based technology solutions for electric vehicle (EV) networks and grid management. Designed to answer the needs of site hosts offering workplace and public charging applications, Greenlots' SKY Smart Charging™ platform is a robust network management solution that utilizes Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), the largest open standard for charger-to-network communications. SKY is the only charging network to be OpenADR 2.0b certified and enables utilities and site hosts to work together on demand response programs, leveraging EVs as a grid resource and avoiding costly energy infrastructure upgrades. Greenlots is headquartered in San Francisco and has deployed solutions in 13 countries around the globe. Visit www.greenlots.com for more information or follow us on Twitter @greenlots.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and surpassed the 500,000 annual sales mark for the second consecutive year in 2013 following the launch of seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the flagship K900 rear-drive sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States. Kia's U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima and Sorento and is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA RAMPS UP DC FAST CHARGING NETWORK IN PREPARATION FOR ARRIVAL OF 2015 SOUL EV
Network of 17 new DC fast chargers across California makes charging quick and easy
Kia partners with top industry charging and network providers to support EV buyers
IRVINE, Calif., September 2, 2014 – Kia Motors America (KMA) is kicking off the implementation of a robust charging network in advance of the Soul EV going on sale in California during the third quarter of this year. With Kia's addition of 17 new DC fast chargers to California's already-existing network of 198, charger availability will be increased nearly nine percent statewide by year-end. KMA's EV charging infrastructure plan provides Soul EV buyers with broad coverage, flexibility and excellent support, and Kia's networking partnership with Greenlots will connect customers to DC fast chargers in convenient locations throughout California. Select Soul EV dealers in Northern and Southern California will be fitted with multiple Level 2 240v chargers and ABB's 50kW Terra 53 CJ DC fast charger, which can charge the Soul EV's battery from empty to 80 percent in about 33 minutes, to help build range confidence. Designed for the "charge and go" segment, the Terra 53 multi-standard DC charging station is ideal for use at car dealerships, fuel stations and high-turnover parking applications. The Kia dealership locations with available charging stations will be announced closer to the Soul EV's on-sale date later this year, and following the California launch of the Soul EV, select additional markets are set to come online in 2015.
"The Soul EV is a key vehicle within Kia's 'Clean Mobility' program, and having access to Level 2 and an increased number of DC fast chargers at select Kia dealerships is an opportunity for us to provide value to Soul EV owners, signaling Kia's commitment to the growing EV market," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA. "Our customers are making a sincere effort to be eco-conscious, and Kia is committed to delivering both flexible and convenient charging options to Soul EV owners."
Kia has partnered with Greenlots to offer flexibility and on-the-go access to large networks of charging stations via the EZ-Charge program, making the Soul EV ownership experience refreshingly simple and charging easily accessible. Through the Greenlots partnership, Soul EV owners will be provided a "Kia ChargeUp Card," giving them access to DC fast chargers via Greenlots' SKY™ network system. Soul EV owners can easily locate charging stations via Kia's free UVO EVServices1 telematics app through their smartphone or the standard 8-inch touchscreen inside the vehicle.
Partnerships have also been forged with Bosch, Leviton® and Aerovironment™ to serve as Level 2 at-home charging options2 for owners and also for Kia dealers. Recharging times vary from under five hours when plugged into a 240-volt outlet to about 24 hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 120-volt outlet. Regardless of their charging preference, Soul EV buyers will have the best in variety and value through high-quality, efficient and reliable products and services from each partner.
About the 2015 Soul EV
The 2015 Soul EV is Kia's first ever all-electric, zero-emissions car to be sold in the U.S. The Soul EV offers the fun and vibrant styling that customers have grown to love about the gasoline-powered model but with a number of interior and exterior enhancements that are unique to the EV. The Soul EV gets an impressive 80-100 miles of real-world range when the 27kWh, 360v, 192-cell lithium-ion polymer battery is fully charged, and the regenerative braking system captures up to 12 percent 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 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 significantly improve thermal stability and safety.
The Soul EV makes charging easy by plugging 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. Found behind a sliding door located in the grille, the dual ports offer flexibility and increase the Soul EV's go-anywhere appeal, making it more convenient to charge inside the owner's garage or when on the road.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and surpassed the 500,000 annual sales mark for the second consecutive year in 2013 following the launch of seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K900** flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona midsize multi-purpose vehicle, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States. Kia's U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.
Information about KMA and its full vehicle line-up is available at www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.
*The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
1No subscription fee for UVO EVServices. No charge for the UVO EVServices app. App uses your smartphone cellular data service. Normal cellular service rates will apply.
2Home charging equipment sold separately.
** 2015 K900 V8 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability.
By Sebastian Blanco
See also: Kia confirms $1B factory in Mexico to be completed in 2016, 2014 Kia Forte Koup SX, Kia Soul EV ad campaign charges up with sexified hamsters.