We mark the zero emissions milestone by driving two EVs from the big-selling Kia secure to the Christmas market in Lille – and again…
The automotive world has modified massively since 2014. Since then, Kia has been main the cost to a extra planet-friendly future.
It’s wonderful to assume that Kia’s first step into the electrical automobile market was simply 10 years in the past with the first-generation Soul EV.
With a battery of simply 27kWh and a claimed vary of 132 miles, the Soul EV was a stable, if quirky, debut electrical automobile.
A decade later, and the model is now one of many large gamers within the zero emissions market, presently providing 4 fashions – the Niro EV, EV3, EV6 and EV9.
And that’s simply the beginning of the journey. By 2027 Kia is planning to supply 9 EVs.
To mark the event, I joined a group of different motoring journalists and members of the Kia UK PR group on a celebratory journey to Lille – within the coronary heart of French Flanders. An opportunity to pattern two acclaimed Kia electrical automobiles for prolonged intervals – the EV3 and EV6 – and to expertise driving and charging in France.
Our journey began at Biggin Hill in Kent for an early morning rendezvous, adopted by a 60-mile drive all the way down to Folkestone to catch the Le Shuttle.
Our wheels for the primary leg of the journey had been the just lately facelifted Kia EV6, which was topped European Automobile of the Yr in 2022.
When it was launched in 2021, it was Kia first’s electric-only car with a 300-mile plus vary. The futuristic fastback is now a standard sight on our roads, and early in 2024 it was handled to a mini makeover.
The most recent model can journey additional and cost sooner, because of a brand new battery pack. Styling tweaks and know-how updates full the refresh.
The brand new battery (up from 77.4kWh to 84.0kWh) elevated the EV6’s most WLTP vary from 328 to 361 miles.
Outdoors, it will get a extra dynamic entrance finish. Inside, it nonetheless comes with twin 12.3-inch shows, however the up to date mannequin will get Kia’s newest software program and graphics, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is now wi-fi.
The centre console additionally incorporates a fingerprint authentication system, which permits customers to start out the automobile with no good key or digital key. Elsewhere, there’s a barely squared-off steering wheel and the cockpit as a complete has a classier feel and look. It additionally now boasts the most recent security and drive help options.
Our EV6 (an all-wheel-drive GT-Line S) was in its aspect cruising down the 60 miles to the Eurotunnel after which meandering as much as Lille from Calais. The scenic 77-mile route made little impression on the vary and we arrived with greater than 50% cost left.
Highly effective, comfy, whisper-quiet and as easy as ever, the EV6’s 480-litre boot swallowed up our baggage. Had we’ve got been carrying passengers, two adults would have been completely content material within the again.
The climate was chilly and damp in Lille, however will didn’t let it dampen our spirits – and we had loads of time to analyze.
The centre of Lille is pretty compact and filled with impartial outlets, large manufacturers, eating places, bars and cafes, so there no scarcity of issues to do.
And, after all, right now of the 12 months it’s price strolling over to the Christmas Market (also called the Village de Noël de Lille) at Place Rihour, the place you’ll discover reward concepts, Christmas decorations, plus festive foods and drinks.
Across the nook within the Grand Place, you possibly can go for a experience on the enormous Ferris wheel earlier than trying out the Christmas grotto.
We had been again on the highway the next morning – this time within the just lately launched Kia EV3.
Trying not not like a pint-sized EV9, the EV3 is a particular and spectacular 100% electrical compact SUV, which is certain to be prime of many wish-lists in 2025.
Spacious, simple to drive and rammed with the most recent tech, it comes with two battery choices – 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh – delivering claimed ranges of 270 and 375 miles respectively.
Our Lengthy Vary was a simple pleasure to drive again from Lille. Our route down included a stop-off at a hypermarket at Hazebrouck for Christmas treats, plus a fast cost at an Ionity station simply off the A25 close to Steenvoorde.
For the document, a 10-80% cost takes 31 minutes (at 150kWh). We solely wanted to get again as much as 60% for our drive again to Biggin Hill, so quarter-hour was sufficient.
Curiously, the price of electrical energy per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at Ionity was €0.59 (lower than 50p), in comparison with 74p within the UK.
The EV3’s large 460-litre boot, full with adjustable flooring (the realm under is right for crushable gadgets resembling bread and pastries), simply managed our cabin luggage-sized circumstances, plus packing containers and luggage stuffed with festive booze and presents.
Lower than every week after my temporary first drive within the EV3, it was an ideal alternative to spend some high quality time behind the wheel, and it didn’t disappoint.
We arrived again at Biggin Hill with greater than 30% cost left, and if nothing else, it bolstered my perception that the EV3 goes to be the go-to electrical car for a lot of households.
The entry-level Customary Vary is competitively priced from £32,995, whereas longer vary variations begin at £35,995. The revised EV6 vary begins at £45,575, and it’s higher than.
Whether or not you select an EV3 or EV6 – or a Niro EV or EV9 for that matter – you gained’t be disillusioned. And bear in mind, all Kia automobiles include a beneficiant seven-year guarantee, so there’s peace of thoughts too.
Joyeux Noël
