Recharge Wrap-up: Kia Soul EV wins MotorWeek award, Virgin Hotels offering Tesla Model S rides
Mon, Feb 16 2015
Virgin Hotels will provide its Chicago guests car services in the Tesla Model S. Guests can get rides to and from the hotel in a red, dual-motor Model S P85D. Virgin Hotels offers the EV services as part of its sustainability program. "Tesla is the hottest electric car on the road right now, and we're elated to provide our hotel guests with this chic house-car service while also helping to reduce our carbon footprint," says Virgin Hotels vice president of sales and marketing Doug Carrillo. "For Virgin Hotels it's important to provide services our guests desire but do so with the environment in mind whenever possible."
Hyundai has announced the first lease of its Tucson Fuel Cell in Canada. Hyundai chose the Vancouver couple, Jennifer Ma and Clayton Crawley, as the first buyers in part because they live near both a dealership and a fueling station, the latter of which sources its hydrogen from a chemical company that produces the gas as a byproduct. Crawley, whose children love the beach, says, "Getting there while reducing our environmental impact will be awesome." Read more at Automotive News.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is providing $30 million in grant money for Proterra electric buses. Six transit agencies will buy 28 of the EV buses for a variety of projects. Proterra CEO Ryan Popple calls the funding a "tremendous validation for the company." In total, the FTA is handing out $55 million in grant money for the deployment of American-made electric buses. Four other agencies will receive buses from BAE Systems and New Flyer as part of the program. Read more at Charged EVs.
Kia Soul EV Wins 2015 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award
Kia's First All-Electric Vehicle Wins Best Eco-Friendly Honor
- Soul EV praised for funky style, power, range and roomy interior
- MotorWeek's annual list of winners serves as a buying guide for the show's nationwide audience
CHICAGO, Feb. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia's hip urban crossover and first all-electric zero emissions vehicle, the Soul EV, has been named the Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle in MotorWeek's 34th annual Drivers' Choice Awards. MotorWeek, which airs on 92 percent of PBS stations nationwide, analyzes trends, new products and new technology to produce a list of winners that can be used as a car-buying guide by the show's viewers. Admired for its practicality and fun design, editors at MotorWeek appreciated the roomy interior and cargo space of the Soul EV, which offers more rear seat leg room than other key EV competitors.
"As the centerpiece of Kia's Clean Mobility program, the Soul EV has the best range in its segment, EPA estimated at 93 miles1, and it's been recognized by Underwriters Laboratories for its use of bio-based materials," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, Kia Motors America (KMA). "MotorWeek's Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle award is a great honor from a respected source and a powerful endorsement of the Soul EV's unique blend of range, utility, style and value."
"The Kia Soul EV is the perfect EV. It is totally practical with plenty of room for adults and everyday cargo," noted John Davis, host and executive producer, MotorWeek. "It has more power and range compared to other affordable all-electric vehicles. Plus, its funky style makes driving the Kia Soul EV really cool."
The Soul EV retains the iconic design of its gasoline-powered sibling and is offered in four color choices from which design-conscious customers can choose. The Soul EV has a premium interior and standard amenities including: Navigation with eight-inch touchscreen, a 6.6kW on-board charger, CHAdeMO DC fast charge port, Rear Camera Display2, power windows and driver's seat, cruise control and an HVAC system that extends the EV's range by minimizing energy draw.
About Tesla
Tesla Motors' goal is to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable transport with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures electric vehicles, as well as EV powertrain components. Tesla has delivered more than 50,000 electric vehicles to customers worldwide.
Kia's First All-Electric Vehicle Wins Best Eco-Friendly Honor
- Soul EV praised for funky style, power, range and roomy interior
- MotorWeek's annual list of winners serves as a buying guide for the show's nationwide audience
CHICAGO, Feb. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia's hip urban crossover and first all-electric zero emissions vehicle, the Soul EV, has been named the Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle in MotorWeek's 34th annual Drivers' Choice Awards. MotorWeek, which airs on 92 percent of PBS stations nationwide, analyzes trends, new products and new technology to produce a list of winners that can be used as a car-buying guide by the show's viewers. Admired for its practicality and fun design, editors at MotorWeek appreciated the roomy interior and cargo space of the Soul EV, which offers more rear seat leg room than other key EV competitors.
"As the centerpiece of Kia's Clean Mobility program, the Soul EV has the best range in its segment, EPA estimated at 93 miles1, and it's been recognized by Underwriters Laboratories for its use of bio-based materials," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, Kia Motors America (KMA). "MotorWeek's Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle award is a great honor from a respected source and a powerful endorsement of the Soul EV's unique blend of range, utility, style and value."
"The Kia Soul EV is the perfect EV. It is totally practical with plenty of room for adults and everyday cargo," noted John Davis, host and executive producer, MotorWeek. "It has more power and range compared to other affordable all-electric vehicles. Plus, its funky style makes driving the Kia Soul EV really cool."
The Soul EV retains the iconic design of its gasoline-powered sibling and is offered in four color choices from which design-conscious customers can choose. The Soul EV has a premium interior and standard amenities including: Navigation with eight-inch touchscreen, a 6.6kW on-board charger, CHAdeMO DC fast charge port, Rear Camera Display2, power windows and driver's seat, cruise control and an HVAC system that extends the EV's range by minimizing energy draw.
About Tesla
Tesla Motors' goal is to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable transport with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures electric vehicles, as well as EV powertrain components. Tesla has delivered more than 50,000 electric vehicles to customers worldwide.
Featured Gallery 2015 Kia Soul EV: Quick Spin
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Related Gallery Proterra Electric Bus
- News Source: Kia, Virgin Hotels, Automotive News, Charged EVs
- Image Credit: AOL 2015
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By John Beltz Snyder
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