Kia’s new all-electric vehicle, the EV6, promises to deliver the best ownership experience by making the electric lifestyle a viable option for day-to-day mobility. The EV6 promises a long-range, rapid charging, access to an extensive charging network, segment-leading interior space and can even act as a portable battery pack to charge electrical appliances or other electric vehicles.
The EV6 is designed inside and out to deliver the best experience owning an electric car can offer. Kia are aiming to make electric vehicle (EV) ownership as convenient and accessible as running an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, with reduced environmental impact and running costs.
The new model is built on Kia’s EV6, which recently made its UK debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed, is built on the company’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). This is also shared on Hyundai’s electric vehicles, including the IONIQ 5.
The E-GMP architecture ensures that EV6 provides a new electrification experience with powerful driving performance, ultra-fast charging, increased range and enhanced safety.
The E-GMP also means that, despite its compact exterior dimensions, the EV6 offers class-leading space within. A long 2,900mm wheelbase and minimal front and rear overhangs provide cabin space similar to that of vehicles in larger segments. Exceptional legroom of 1,078mm at the front and 990mm at the rear ensures space for all passengers to enjoy.
Kia are helping to banish charge anxiety by introducing an innovative multi high-speed charging system. This provides EV6 drivers with access to a broader charging infrastructure. Multi high-speed charging means that the system is compatible with both 800V ultra-fast charging and more mainstream 400V fast charging without the need for any special adapter or additional on-board charger.
An 800V charger feeds the current directly to the battery at ultra-fast speeds, charging the EV6 battery up to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. When using a more mainstream 400V charger, the vehicle’s motor and inverter convert the 400V current from the charging station into 800V, charging the battery at the maximum power provided by it.
Kia are also trying to destroy range anxiety with the EV6, which offers a choice of zero-emission powertrain configurations. This includes a standard-range (58kWh) and long-range 77.4kW) high voltage battery pack. All UK models will offer the 77.4kWh battery pack as standard.
The rear-wheel-drive 77.4kWh EV6 model offers a range of up to 328 miles (528km), with a combined electric energy consumption 16.5 kWh/100km. The all-wheel-drive EV6 also delivers a strong range performance of 314 miles (506km), with a combined electric energy consumption is as low as 17.2 kWh/100km. Both are impressive and should help to reduce range anxiety.
The EV6 will indicate when its charge is low and guide drivers to the nearest charging station using the on-board navigation system. Kia’s relationship with part-owned IONITY offers EV6 customers access to reduced kWh prices at over 400 high power charging stations across 24 European countries via the Kia Charge solution.
The IONITY network uses the leading European charging standard CCS (Combined Charging System) and is sourced by 100 percent renewable energy meaning EV6 drivers can travel emission-free and carbon neutral.
The Kia Charge solution (provided by Digital Charging Solutions) gives EV6 owners additional access to around 205,000 charge points across Europe, including AC and DC connectors.
The Kia Charge app provides access to more than 17,000 charging connectors in the UK, with additional bolt-on tariffs available for the IONITY and bp pulse charging networks.
Kia have also developed an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) which controls built-in bi-directional chargers, and the Vehicle Charging Management System (VCMS). This enables up to 3.6kW of power to be transferred from the vehicle battery to other devices.
This vehicle to load (V2L) function allows occupants to charge electrical items on the go, such as a laptop, or home appliances using an outdoor V2L gender connector. Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) charging is also possible whereby power can be transferred to another electric vehicle, for example in an emergency,
Each of the carefully designed innovations available on the EV6 have been developed to ensure ease of use, intuitive functionality and to make EV ownership a more accessible and viable option for more people. Pricing for the rear-wheel-drive EV6 starts from £40,895 and first deliveries are expected in October.
