Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The All-Electric Kia Niro SUV
Kia Corporation, the South Korean automotive manufacturer is fast developing a portfolio of lower-emission ‘eco’ vehicles, to include, zero-tailpipe emission battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids. The Korean automotive company is headquartered in Seoul, and it is South Korea’s second largest automotive manufacturer after the Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai owns a 33.88% stake in Kia Corporation). At one point, the US automotive manufacturer, Ford Motor Company, also owned a stake in Kia.
Kia Corporation has been active in the European markets since 1991. The Kia electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models:
- All-electric Kia Niro
- All-electric Kia EV6
- All-electric Kia EV6 GT
- All-electric Kia EV9
- All-electric Kia EV3
- All-electric Kia Soul EV
- Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
- Kia XCeed Plug-In Hybrid
- Kia Ceed Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid
- Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
- Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Kia Corporation, launched the all-electric Kia e-Niro in 2018 at the International Electric Vehicle Expo in Korea. The Kia Niro concept was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. The emission-free e-Niro order book opened in the UK in January 2019, with the initial allocation sold out within three weeks.
The EV won the prestigious 2019 What Car? Car of the Year award. It is the first ever all-electric SUV to win this accolade. The EV was also warded the WhatCar? Car of the Year 2021 award.
Though the first-generation all-electric Niro has been well received, the latest (second generation) incarnation of this popular family electric car, has further improved the proposition on offer. For a start, the exterior styling has transformed the Niro pure electric car from a rather ‘average’ looking car, to a head-turning exterior style, that has infused the EV with more appeal.
Kia has also made improvements to the ‘core capability’ of the electric SUV. The onboard charger has been upgraded to 11 kW (3 phase) and the DC charging capability upgraded to 100 kW. For those with access to three-phase power supply at home or work, the EV can be fully charged in 6 hours and 20 minutes.
For those with a single-phase (7.2 kW) EV charger, the Niro EV can be fully charged in 9 hours and 25 minutes. DC charging is much faster, and the electric car can be charged up to 80% in 45 minutes.
Kia has not increased the onboard EV battery size. The all-new Niro EV retains a 64.8 kWh battery with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 460 km (WLTP). Expect the real-world range to be closer to 410 km, more than sufficient for most day-to-day driving needs and for longer distance motorway commutes.
In terms of technology and features, the Niro electric car has much to offer. Though this is not a standard feature on all Niro EV variants, Kia offers Vehicle-to-Device (V2D) capability for the higher priced trims. V2D enables charging other devices using the onboard EV battery.
For example: a laptop, e-bike, vacuum while on a camping trip! Other feature include: 4.2″ supervision colour cluster display, 8″ touchscreen display, head-up display, speed limit assist, lane follow assist, lane Keep assist system and more. The new Niro EV offers decent interior space and a larger boot space (475 L).
In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive (FWD) Kia Niro EV is decent. The Niro EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds (max power: 201 bhp/ 255 Nm torque). The top speed of the EV is 167 km/h.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Appealing exterior styling | Vehicle-to-Device (V2D) not standard on all variants |
| Decent EV range (460 km) | Available in only one battery size |
| 11 kW (3-phase) onboard charger as standard | Not available as all-wheel drive |
Gallery
The All-Electric Kia Niro SUV (credit: Kia)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Vehicle Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (1 Options) |
|---|
| Kia Niro EV (from € 45,715) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 64.8 kWh |
| Charging: | 100 kW Rapid DC Charging (10%-80%: 45 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 6 hrs and 20 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 km |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity: 16.7 kWh | € 4.00 |
| Battery net capacity: 30.0 kWh | € 7.19 |
| Battery net capacity: 39.2 kWh | € 9.39 |
| Battery net capacity: 45.0 kWh | € 10.78 |
| Battery net capacity: 50.0 kWh | € 11.98 |
| Battery net capacity: 64.0 kWh | € 15.34 |
| Battery net capacity: 71.0 kWh | € 17.01 |
| Battery net capacity: 77.0 kWh | € 18.45 |
| Battery net capacity: 90.0 kWh | € 21.57 |
| Battery net capacity: 100.0 kWh | € 23.97 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in Ireland varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for Ireland is 23.97 cents/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1560 |
| Width (mm): | 1805 |
| Length (mm): | 4375 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2700 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 10.6 |
| Boot Space (L): | 451 |
| Niro 64,8 kWh | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 64.8 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 460 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/km): | 13.6 |
| Charging: | 100 kW Rapid DC Charging (10%-80%: 45 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 6 hrs and 20 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 167 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 7.8 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 182 |
| Max Power (bhp): | 204 |
| Torque (Nm): | 255 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,739 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Air Quality: An Overview
If there is one common theme that unites many of us, it is the concern over worsening air quality in our villages, towns and cities. This concern is not unique to Ireland, but a narrative that is now firmly centre stage globally. The detrimental health consequences of higher pollution, in particular, on the vulnerable, like children and the elderly is significant, and well documented.
According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), the PM2.5 concentration in Ireland is currently 1.6 times higher than the WHO annual air quality guideline value. WHO has described air pollution as the ‘single biggest environmental health risk’, leading to an increase in the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
Electric vehicles and in particular, zero-tailpipe emission EVs, also known as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), help improve local air quality i.e. a pure electric car does not have a tailpipe/ exhaust, hence, zero-tailpipe emissions! Without an iota of doubt, all types of EVs, to include, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are better for improving air quality, compared to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles. We encourage all drivers in Ireland to migrate to lower emission electric driving.
| Type Of Pollutants |
|---|
| Particulate matter (PM or PM 2.5) |
| Ammonia (NH3) |
| Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) |
| Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) |
| Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCS) |
| Primary Sources Of Pollutants |
|---|
| Road transportation |
| Industrial processes |
| Farming and agricultural processes |
| Waste industry |
| Energy generation |
| Domestic burning |
| Other forms of transportation, such as aviation, shipping and railroads |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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