Overview
Kia Corporation, the South Korean automotive manufacturer is fast developing a portfolio of lower emission ‘eco’ vehicles, to include zero-emission battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids. The BEVs and PHEVs range includes:
- The all-electric Kia e-Niro
- The all-electric Kia Soul EV
- The all-electric Kia EV6
- Niro Plug-In Hybrid
- XCeed Plug-In Hybrid
- Ceed Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid
- The all-new Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
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. The Kia Corporation has been active in the European markets since 1991.
Electric Cars: The Basics
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- UK Plug-In Electric Car Grant 2021
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The Kia XCeed Compact PHEV SUV
The Kia XCeed compact crossover SUV has been manufactured since 2006. The XCeed was designed specifically for the European market. The model is currently in its third generation. The hybrid variant concept was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. PHEVs are perfect for individuals and families:
- Keen to take a step towards lower emission and environment-friendly driving
- Need a vehicle for extensive and regular long-distance travelling
- Have limited access to private or public EV charging stations
- Do a number of short commutes (30 miles and below) on a regular basis
- Keen to save money
It is a widely known fact, in that, the average distance of a trip in the UK is a mere 12 miles. An average vehicle in the UK will travel between 8k and 10k miles per annum i.e. less than 30 miles per day. The newest eco-friendly PHEVs on the market will average between 20 to 30 zero-emission electric miles on a fully-charged EV battery. In most plug-in electric cars the EV battery will be below 15 kWh in capacity.
The Kia plug-in electric SUV has a 8.9 kWh EV battery with a WLTP zero-emission electric range of 30 miles. Depending on driving style, weather condition and the services used in the EV, expect a real world range closer to 25 miles. However, that would be more than sufficient for most daily commutes using the EV battery i.e. driving emission-free and also saving money (the running cost per mile of an EV is far lower than a petrol or diesel car). Depending on the cost of electricity, the cost per mile for driving on electric can be as low as 3 pence per mile. Bottom-line driving on electric miles is both cost efficient and eco-friendly!
The Kia plug-in electric SUV is practical and family-friendly, with ample space for short and long commutes. The electric vehicle (EV) is cheap to run on the zero-emission electric mode.
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Vehicle Type: | Compact SUV |
| Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric (1.6 GDi) |
| Available In UK: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| PHEV 3 (from £31,805) |
| PHEV 4 (from £35,055) |
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable prices | Small EV battery/ limited range |
| Cheap to run on electric mode | Rear seats not as spacious as alternatives |
| Good standard specifications | On board charger limited to 3.3 kW |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size (8.9 kWh) |
| Charging: | On board charger: 3.3 kW AC |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 38g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 7 years or 100,000 miles |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/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) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1495 |
| Width (mm): | 1826 |
| Length (mm): | 4395 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2650 |
| 1.6 GDi PHEV | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 8.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 29.8 miles |
| Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | N/A |
| Fuel Consumption (mpg): | 201 |
| Charging: | On board charger: 3.3 kW AC |
| Top Speed: | 99 mph |
| 0-60 mph: | 10.6 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 44.5 |
| Max Power (bhp): | 139 (combined) |
| Torque (Nm): | 265 (combined) |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,596 |
| Colours: | 6 |
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