Kia Soul EV

For EV Chargers & Cables, see "Products for Kia Soul EV". 

Overview:

The Kia Soul EV has a 64 kWh battery, powering it to a real world range of 239 miles. It features the CCS charging standard, which means it has a combined AC and DC inlet port. Home charging uses the top portion of the inlet, which is for the Type 2 connector, as well as for public slow charging and fast-AC charge points. Rapid DC charging uses both the top and bottom section of the inlet. Rapid DC charging is only possible at public EV charging stations. The Kia Soul EV`s charging inlet can be found on the left side - front. 

Slow / Fast: Type 2	Rapid: CCS
Max AC 1-phase rate: 7.2 kW Max AC 3-phase rate: 7.2 kW	Max DC rate: 77 kW

The Kia Soul EV is capable of various charge speeds, including slow, fast, and rapid charging at public charge points (note: rapid charging is subject to network availability). Slow charging occurs via a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, while fast charging will require a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, one of which may be included with your vehicle when first purchased. Rapid charging requires the vehicle to be connected to a tethered CCS connector (meaning it is part of the charging unit). 

To charge your Kia Soul EV, either on AC or DC, the driver will plug the connector into the inlet. The car communicates with the charging unit to ensure that the connection is not faulty, verify the power supply, and that it is safe to begin charging. Home chargers/workplace chargers will not require any additional actions, the vehicle will begin charging automatically. 

On the other hand, public chargers will require an activation process – this may be in the form of an RFID card or app. Alternatively, pay-as-you-go chargers would require the user to present their contactless card. The vehicle will start charging automatically, after verifying connectivity and account checks. 

 How long does it take to charge a Kia Soul EV? 

The Kia Soul EV features a 1-phase 7.2 kW onboard charger for Type 2 AC charging. The on-board charger may have a higher, 3-phase capability but this is not useful when charging at home, because the vast majority of household electrical supply’s are 1-phase. Connecting to a fast charger that has an output higher than 7.2 kW is not a problem, however, the Kia Soul EV will only be able to charge at up to 7.2 kW. The following table shows approximate time to charge an Kia Soul EV, which accepts power up to 77 kW DC and 7.2 kW AC. Times are for a 100% charge for all but rapid charging, which is quoted for 0-80% as most rapid chargers reduce or cut power well before 100% charge to protect the battery and maximize efficiency.

Furthermore, please note that figures shown above are a guide. There are a variety of factors that may impact the charging time for your Kia Soul EV – for starters, charging from 0% should be a very rare occurrence, meaning charge times are not entirely indicative. Other factors include temperature, current charge in the vehicle, as well as safety restrictions mentioned above which protect your battery life. 

Costs of charging a Kia Soul EV: 

Costs for charging a Kia Soul EV, with a standard 64 kWh battery, are shown in the table below. Please note that these figures are estimates and depend on factors such as battery capacity and health, age of the battery, and current remaining charge. They also assume a standard tariff of 28p/kWh for home charging and 44p/kWh for public network chargers.

Public-network charging for Kia Soul EV:

Public EV charge points are widely available in the UK. Some charge points are free to use, however, most require payment. Payment method varies between networks, however most require an account to be set up before use, with access being provided through either an app or RFID card provided by the network. 

Recently, networks have begun installing contactless card readers, meaning some charge points may not require an account and app/RFID card to be used. 

Charging tariffs are comprised of a connection fee (usually a flat rate), cost per charging time, and/or cost per energy consumed. 

Home Charging for Kia Soul EV:

The Kia Soul EV features a Type 2 connector, meaning you will need a Type 2 home charge point, or a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable. Vorsprung offers the following solutions:

•         Smart Wallbox Type 2
•         Wallbox Type 2
•         Untethered
•         3-Pin to Type 2 

The Vorsprung Smart WallBox Type 2 is a tethered charge point for your home, with an output of 7.4kW at 32A. The Smart Wallbox features an app that connects to your charge point, allowing for scheduled charging, different charge modes, and more! 

The Vorsprung Wallbox Type 2 features all the same features with the key exception of the app integration. Simple and straightforward, it is a plug-and-play solution.

The Vorsprung Untethered Socket is a Type 2 socket – this solution is great for those who already have a cable, or those who charge on public networks frequently, as it allows for you to use one cable for both public and home charge points. The Vorsprung Untethered Socket outputs up to 7.4kW. 

The Vorsprung 3-Pin to Type 2 Charger is the traditional home-charger solution – simply plug it in to your standard UK-3-Pin outlet! The Vorsprung 3-Pin to Type 2 Charger features an amperage selector, meaning you can choose between 6A through 13A for charging.