Thanks for your informative videos. They're far better than ones KIA produce. So little to go wrong on these cars and even when they do they're covered by 7 year /100k warranty. An exception as you pointed out is the 12V battery, only warranted for 2 years and seems to go just after the 2 year warranty expires. The previous owner had replaced this during lockdown, though I wonder if lockdown (Any lack of use) could be reason why 12V are failing too. You can see why servicing is so cheap. Your 30kw (MY2018 from Oct 2017) is worth paying extra for, as these have the 100 of higher capacity E400 Li-po cells made by SK Innovations. Even though the capacity is only 10% extra (than the 27kw model) these seem to produce easily 20%+ increase is real world range. Also looking at the data sheets for the cells, with normal a/c charging these should last 150k with degradation less than 80%. Its hard to tell atm as my 33 month old 30kw with 37K is showing 0% degradation, And with 8K miles pa I will never get to 150K miles. For my daily commute to London, around 14 miles each way, this is the prefect car. I think Soul EV 30kw is even better than i3 94ah BEV. Not sure if the 30kw leaf or 94ah BEV is capable to 160 mile summer range that I am getting. Only Ioniq is better EV but I hate its Prius (defacto mini cab) looks.
@@GoGreenAutos I'll tell as many people as I can, although I think I'm one of the few folks I know who love electric cars. Actually, I have yet to even drive one. I was digging through some old papers the other day, and found a letter I wrote to Th!nk in Norway 20 years ago for more info on their electric car. I asked them if they were going to enter the Canadian market with it, and could I somehow get involved with the company. Guess I'll continue buying lottery tickets and hoping for a win.
A really informative video, very good, thankyou. You mention the "pointless" under bonnet, centre, electric's cover. If you look to the right of this, you can see how dirty those other covers are. Imagine trying to clean the electric part. I imagine that's why it has a cover.
In the trunk is a vacuum motor to remove any odor that might come from the battery and cool them down while charging. This is what I think. I do a lot if industrial battery work, thanks.
Kia wouldn't change the cooling and battery design for different markets. I'm not sure if the battery is water cooled on these, as I've not needed to take the undertrays off to look any further. Here's the original press release on these batteries press.kia.com/eu/en/home/media-resouces/press-releases/2014/14_03_04_kia-exhibits-soul-ev-battery-technology.html I've not seen anywhere the cooling system being mentioned.
At work we have a Kia Soul Electric that has been stationary for several months. It's totally "dead", is it enough to put it into the charger or do i have to do a sort of "jump start" to make it alive again so it can communicate with the charging station? Greetings from Belgium
@@Tintoycar The big battery charges to 12V battery when you're driving or the ignition is on. I'm not sure if it does the same while charging. I don't have one here to test. But if the 12V is completely dead, you wont be able to charge it anyway. You need to sort out the 12V before you can do anything.
@@GoGreenAutos We could do nothing because we had no place to connect to other car for power. P(arking)= electric, handbrake is electric, could not even move the car. Glove box= electric !!! We called assistance and they came with a booster. Then loaded for one hour and could drive again. Don't like electric P(arking) and handbreak. I'll stick to my Civic. Respect for Kia but too much electric ;-) 7 year waranty, that's good!
Bernard, as far as I know the higher trim models and from at least 2016 model year, the kia soul ev, has had what is termed a heat pump. I own a plus model that has one. so the heating system and cooling is taken care of using the same system as the drive pack. still heavy drain but that could be age or how they connected the heat pump into the system.
I would also add, that in the UK climate, battery cooling isn't actually used too much. Battery heating is required more, if fitted. The optimum temperate of a pack is higher than you'd expect. After repeated DC rapid charging and fast driving, then yes batteries get hot, but most people don't drive like this. So consequently, there is very little heat generated from an EV powertrain, particularly in the winter when you need heat for the cabin.
An uplifting video! And I bought this car! ( and in 2024 still going strong love it still and its still got the 12v battery shown in the video)!
Kia soul great ev , owned mine for 16 months , I have gleaned more information from your vids , than any kia manuals or vids .
Thanks for your informative videos. They're far better than ones KIA produce.
So little to go wrong on these cars and even when they do they're covered by 7 year /100k warranty. An exception as you pointed out is the 12V battery, only warranted for 2 years and seems to go just after the 2 year warranty expires. The previous owner had replaced this during lockdown, though I wonder if lockdown (Any lack of use) could be reason why 12V are failing too.
You can see why servicing is so cheap.
Your 30kw (MY2018 from Oct 2017) is worth paying extra for, as these have the 100 of higher capacity E400 Li-po cells made by SK Innovations. Even though the capacity is only 10% extra (than the 27kw model) these seem to produce easily 20%+ increase is real world range. Also looking at the data sheets for the cells, with normal a/c charging these should last 150k with degradation less than 80%. Its hard to tell atm as my 33 month old 30kw with 37K is showing 0% degradation, And with 8K miles pa I will never get to 150K miles.
For my daily commute to London, around 14 miles each way, this is the prefect car. I think Soul EV 30kw is even better than i3 94ah BEV.
Not sure if the 30kw leaf or 94ah BEV is capable to 160 mile summer range that I am getting. Only Ioniq is better EV but I hate its Prius (defacto mini cab) looks.
My 2017 12v battery is still going strong!
Your channel is so informative. I can't believe you don't have more subs, more thumbs up, and more views.
Thank Don. I need people to share and get the word out.
@@GoGreenAutos I'll tell as many people as I can, although I think I'm one of the few folks I know who love electric cars. Actually, I have yet to even drive one.
I was digging through some old papers the other day, and found a letter I wrote to Th!nk in Norway 20 years ago for more info on their electric car. I asked them if they were going to enter the Canadian market with it, and could I somehow get involved with the company.
Guess I'll continue buying lottery tickets and hoping for a win.
I'd love a demo on the head unit (navigation, music, etc.)
A really informative video, very good, thankyou. You mention the "pointless" under bonnet, centre, electric's cover. If you look to the right of this, you can see how dirty those other covers are. Imagine trying to clean the electric part. I imagine that's why it has a cover.
...and it looks cooler than just the aluminum motor.
Great car i love my kia soul best car I have had
In the trunk is a vacuum motor to remove any odor that might come from the battery and cool them down while charging. This is what I think. I do a lot if industrial battery work, thanks.
thanks, that is just what i wanted
Do only the EU versions have liquid cooled battery packs? I live in the US and am looking to buy one, but not if the battery pack is only air cooled.
Kia wouldn't change the cooling and battery design for different markets. I'm not sure if the battery is water cooled on these, as I've not needed to take the undertrays off to look any further. Here's the original press release on these batteries press.kia.com/eu/en/home/media-resouces/press-releases/2014/14_03_04_kia-exhibits-soul-ev-battery-technology.html
I've not seen anywhere the cooling system being mentioned.
Another great video especially when I have this exact ev. Very very pleased with it. Can you give any recommendations on tyres ?
Just find the quietest. A 68dB tyre makes a huge difference from a 71dB tyre.
No. I have this exact ev! ( I bought the car featured).
At work we have a Kia Soul Electric that has been stationary for several months. It's totally "dead", is it enough to put it into the charger or do i have to do a sort of "jump start" to make it alive again so it can communicate with the charging station? Greetings from Belgium
It will just be the 12V battery. Charge that and you'll be away again. Ideally disconnect and put it on a 12v battery charger for at least 24 hours.
@@GoGreenAutos Do the big batteries charge the 12V battery when it's loading on a charging point?
@@Tintoycar The big battery charges to 12V battery when you're driving or the ignition is on. I'm not sure if it does the same while charging. I don't have one here to test. But if the 12V is completely dead, you wont be able to charge it anyway. You need to sort out the 12V before you can do anything.
@@GoGreenAutos OK, thanx, tommorow is D-day, I will give you feedback
@@GoGreenAutos We could do nothing because we had no place to connect to other car for power. P(arking)= electric, handbrake is electric, could not even move the car. Glove box= electric !!! We called assistance and they came with a booster. Then loaded for one hour and could drive again. Don't like electric P(arking) and handbreak. I'll stick to my Civic. Respect for Kia but too much electric ;-) 7 year waranty, that's good!
Why don't a manufacturer run the battery and motor coolent through the cabin and warm the passengers in the winter.
This is something Tesla have started to do recently. But I think the issue is there isn't enough heat from that source to justify it.
Bernard, as far as I know the higher trim models and from at least 2016 model year, the kia soul ev, has had what is termed a heat pump. I own a plus model that has one. so the heating system and cooling is taken care of using the same system as the drive pack. still heavy drain but that could be age or how they connected the heat pump into the system.
I would also add, that in the UK climate, battery cooling isn't actually used too much. Battery heating is required more, if fitted. The optimum temperate of a pack is higher than you'd expect. After repeated DC rapid charging and fast driving, then yes batteries get hot, but most people don't drive like this. So consequently, there is very little heat generated from an EV powertrain, particularly in the winter when you need heat for the cabin.
IMHO, the purpose of the cover on the motor is so rodents can hide better (country living)