The Chicago Auto Show->ke225 has officially arrived and Kia->ke41 is getting things started off with a few milestone announcements; starting with the all-new 2015 Soul EV.

The Soul EV represents the first ever all-electric->ke1030, zero-emissions vehicle from the Korean company on U.S. soil. On top of its electric propulsion system, the Kia EV was recognized by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for integrating more than 20 bio-friendly materials in the construction.

Kia is promising up to 100 miles of “real world” range out of its lithium battery and says that interior space is barely impacted by the addition of the addition of the electron storage.

Kia hopes to have the new Soul EV in dealerships by this fall with California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Maryland as the first markets. These regions were chosen for their relatively large EV infrastructures.

Has Kia finally created a stylish and practical EV that buyers are looking for?

Updated 09/11/2014: Kia revealed prices for the new Soul EV which is now available at dealers nationwide. The model will be offered in two trims: Base and Plus, with prices starting from $33,700 - not including federal tax rebate of $7,500.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Kia Soul EV.

2015 Kia Soul EV

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Kia Soul EV
  • Horsepower: 109
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Spy Shots

As for styling, we have seen a few spy shots of the upcoming Kia Soul and we anticipate that the EV model will feature the same styling language, sans a few minor modifications. We know from these shots that the headlights are a little more square than the current generation, the grille is positioned slightly higher, and there is something new going on in the back end, which was covered in heavy camo. The remaining details on the 2014 Soul’s exterior are a mystery.

Exterior

The exterior of the new Soul EV will be instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with the car. Its same boxy shape and funky features have remained, but the EV gets a few additional extras to spate it from its family members.

The front grille has been replaced with a slightly larger body colored insert that folds down to reveal charging ports, and the rolling stock has been changed to a bespoke set of 16-inch alloys wrapped in low rolling resistance rubber. When the Soul EV first hits showroom floors it will only be available in three two-tone color combinations; Pearl White lower body with Electronic Blue roof, Caribbean Blue lower body with Clear White roof, and Bright Silver with Clear White roof. An accenting color splash is also included on the front and rear fascias.

Interior

The inside of the new EV is even funkier and tech heavy than the standard Soul. Bright white accents are scattered around the cabin to add contrast to the gray seating. The seats can be had in cloth or leather with blue accent stitching on the cloth models, and blue piping on the leather. Blue contrast stitching can also be found on the steering wheel and center armrest.

The dash of the Soul EV features one of the most advanced screen technologies available in the world, OLED. OLED, Organic Light Emitting Diode technology is perfect for EV usage as it uses a fraction of the electricity of standard LCD screens and it produces virtually no heat. That means less electricity to power your dash, and more power stays in the batteries.

Those batteries are designed to reduce the impact on interior space, but the Soul still loses a few inches of rear legroom and over five cubic feet of cargo space has been sacrificed.

Drivetrain

Powering the Kia Soul EV is a modern lithium-ion polymer battery -- the same type of power technology found in your favorite smartphone. This particular battery for the Soul EV has been designed to maximize energy density while increasing stability and safety. The 27 kWh unit is air-cooled and Kia claims should be good for 80 to 100 miles of “real-world driving.” Driving the wheels is a 109-horsepower electric motor that produces 210 pound-feet of torque that is capable of getting the Soul EV up to 90 mph.

2015 Kia Soul EV - Drivetrain Specifications

Engine Type

Electric Motor

Horsepower

109 HP

Torque

210 LB-FT

0 to 60 mph

12 seconds, Est.

Top Speed

90 mph


Prices

Model

Price

Kia Soul EV Base

$33,700

Kia Soul EV Plus

$35,700


Competition

Nissan Leaf->ke3484

The Nissan Leaf was the first mass-consumption EV that was wildly available to the U.S. public.Thanks to a relatively large size and smart design, the Nissan Leaf is a design that favors practicality and comfort. Its 100-mile range is one of the best in the industry right now.

Fiat 500e

The Fiat 500e is smaller than the Leaf or the Soul EV, but it maintains the same stylish shape and sporty handling characteristics of the gasoline models. The Fiat is also very likely to be slightly cheaper than either the Leaf or Soul EV.

Conclusion

With the shape our gasoline and oil reserves seems to be in, having more manufacturers go electric is a good sign. The new Soul EV combines all the great features that drew buyers in to original car, but it adds an advanced electric powertrain to help everyone live cleaner and healthier lives.