2018 Kia Soul EV Owner’s Manual

The 2018 Kia Soul EV is a pioneering example of eco-friendly innovation, with a unique style that blends perfectly with green driving. The Soul EV has a unique boxy shape that makes it stand out. It has a lot of personality and charm, and it embraces the future of electric cars. This small crossover is powered by an advanced electric engine that is hidden from view. It makes driving smooth and quiet. The Soul EV’s heart is its concern for the environment. It has a battery-powered motor with a long range and no pollution from the engine. Inside, the cabin is well-designed and has current technology, easy-to-use entertainment features, and a lot of space. The 2018 Kia Soul EV is a visionary example of Kia’s commitment to being good to the environment. It combines style, sustainability, and usability in a way that ushers in a new age of conscious mobility.

Main Components of Electric Vehicle

 

• High Voltage Junction Block: Supplies power from the high voltage bat-tery to the inverter, LDC, air-conditioner compressor, and PTC heater.
• On-Board Charger (OBC): External device (low speed) to charge the high voltage battery.
• Inverter: Transforms direct current into alternating current to supply power to the motor, and transforms alternating current into direct current to charge the high voltage battery.
• LDC: Transforms power from the high voltage battery to low voltage (12 V) to supply power to the vehicle (DC-DC).
• Motor: Uses electrical energy stored inside the high voltage battery to drive the vehicle (functions like an engine in a standard vehicle).
• Reduction Gear : Delivers rotational force of the motor to the tires at appropriate speeds and torque.
• High voltage battery (lithium-ion polymer) : Stores and supplies power necessary for the electric vehicle to operate (12 V auxiliary battery provides power to the vehicle features such as lights and wipers).
  OBC: On-Board Charger
  LDC: Low Voltage DC-DC Converter

WARNING – Repair of high voltage components The high voltage battery in your system in very dangerous and can cause severe burns and electric shock. Never inspect, remove or disassemble any of the high-voltage components in your vehicle. Kia recommends that all inspections and repairs be performed by an authorized and trained Kia dealer.

High Voltage Battery (lithium-ion polymer)

• The charge amount of the high volt-age battery may gradually decrease when the vehicle is not driving.
• The battery capacity of the high voltage battery may decrease when the vehicle is stored in high/low temperatures.
• Distance to empty may vary depending on the driving conditions, even if the charge amount is the same. The high voltage battery may expend more energy when driving at quick speed or uphill. These actions may reduce the distance to empty.
• The high voltage battery is used when using the air-conditioner /heater. This may reduce the dis-tance to empty. Make sure to set moderate temperatures when using the air-conditioner/heater.
• Natural degradation may occur with the high voltage battery depending on the number of years the vehicle is used. This may reduce the distance to empty.
• When the charge capacity and distance to empty keep falling, we recommend that you contact an authorized Kia dealer for inspection and maintenance.
• If the vehicle will not be in use for an extended period of time, charge the high voltage battery once every three months to pre-vent it from discharging. Also, if the charge amount is not enough to store the vehicle for an extend-ed period of time, immediately charge to enough state of charge and store the vehicle.
• Normal charge is recommended to keep the high voltage battery in optimal condition.
  If the high voltage battery charge amount is below 20%, you can keep the high voltage battery performance in optimal condition if you charge the high voltage bat-tery to 100%. (Once a month or more is recommended.)
• If the vehicle is in a collision, we recommend that you contact an authorized Kia dealer to inspect whether the high voltage battery is still connected.

CAUTION – Damaging high voltage battery

• Make sure to use a designated charger when charging the high voltage battery. Using different types of chargers may have a serious impact on vehi-cle durability.
• Make sure that the high voltage battery charger gauge does not reach SOC 0% on cluster gauge. If the vehicle is kept at SOC 0% for a long peri-od, it may damage the high-voltage battery and the high-voltage battery may have to be replaced depending on the level of degradation.

High Voltage Battery
Warmer System
The high voltage battery warmer system prevents the reduction of battery output when battery temperature is low. If the charging connector is connected, the warmer system automatically operate according to the bat-tery temperature.
Charging time may shorten compare to vehicles without the high voltage battery warmer system. But, electricity charge may increase because of high voltage battery warmer system operation.
The high voltage battery warmer sys-tem operates when the charging connection is connected to the vehicle.
However, the high voltage warmer system may not operate when battery temperature drops below -31°F (-35°C)

EV Mode (if equipped)
If you select the “EV” menu at the AVN home screen or press the “EV” button on the left side of the air-con-ditioning button panel, you can enter EV mode.
The EV mode has a total of 6 menus including Available Range, Near by stations, Energy information, ECO driving, Set timings for Charging /Climate and EV settings.

Charging Information

• Normal Charge :
  We recommend using normal charging for usual charging of the vehicle.
  (Refer to “Normal Charge.“ in this chapter)
• Quick Charge (if equipped) : You can charge at high speeds at public charging stations. Refer to the respective company’s manual that is provided for each quick charger type.
  Battery performance and durability can deteriorate if the quick charger is used constantly.
  Use of quick charge should be minimized in order to help prolong high-voltage battery life.
• Trickle Charge :
  Trickle Charge can be used when Normal Charge or Quick Charge is not available by using household electricity.
• Normal Charge :
  Takes about 5-6 hours at room temperature (depending on charg-er ) for a full charge (208V : about 6 hours, 240V : about 5h 10min.)(Can be charged to 100%.)
• Quick Charge (if equipped) : Takes about 33 minutes at room temperature to 80% of SOC.(50kw charger) (Can be charged directly to 94%)
  DC cable shorter than 10m.
• Trickle Charge :
  Takes about 33 hours at room temperature. (120V-12A: about 33 hours) (Can be charged to 100%.)
  Depending on the condition and durability of the high-voltage battery, charger specifications, and ambient temperature, the time required for charging the high-voltage battery may vary.

RESERVED CHARGING
Reserved Charging (if equipped)

• You can set-up a charging schedule for your vehicle through the UVO audio control unit, the UVO eco App, or by logging into MyUVO.com.
  Refer to the AVN manual or the UVO manual for detailed information about setting reserved charg-ing.
• Reserved charging can only be done when using a normal charger or the portable charging cable (ICCB: In-Cable Control Box).
• When reserved charging is set and the normal charger or the portable charging cable (ICCB: In-Cable Control Box) is connected for charging, the indicator lamp in the middle blinks (for 3 minutes) to indicate that reserved charging is set.
• When reserved charging is set, charging is not initiated immediately when the normal charger or portable charging cable (ICCB: In-Cable Control Box) is connected. When immediate charging is required, use the AVN to deactivate the reserved charge setting or press the Deactivate Reserved Charge button.

RESERVED CLIMATE CONTROL
Reserved Climate Control (if equipped)

• You can set reserved climate con-trol using the AVN.
  Refer to the AVN for detailed information about the reserved climate control setting.
• Reserved climate control can only be done when using the normal charger or portable charging cable (ICCB: In-Cable Control Box).
• If reserved climate control is set and the charging cable is connected, reserved climate control starts operating 30 minutes prior to the set time (departure time).
  Refer to “Normal Charge, Trickle Charge” for details about connecting the normal charger and the portable charging cable (ICCB: In-Cable Control Box).

How to Connect Normal Charger

1. While the brake pedal is pressed, engage the parking brake.
2. Turn OFF all switches, place the shift lever in P (Park), and turn OFF the vehicle.
3. Press the charging door open switch to open the charging door. Charging door open switch can be operated only when the vehi-cle is turned off.
4. If you cannot open the charging door due to freezing weather :
   Remove any ice near the charg-ing door.
   Pull the emergency cable to open the charging door.
   (When the charging door does not open, refer to “How to Unlock Charging Door in Emergencies.”)
5. Open the charging door and press the normal charging inlet cover release tab (1) to open the normal charging inlet cover.
6. Before connecting the charging connector, make sure the door lock is released.
   When the door is locked, the charging connector lock system will be triggered. And the charging connector will not be connected.
7. Remove any dust on the charging connector and charging inlet.
8. Hold the charging connector han-dle and connect it to the vehicle normal charging inlet. Push the connector until you hear a “click-ing” sound.
9. Check if the charge indicator lamp of the high voltage battery in the instrument cluster is turned ON. Charging is not done when the charging indicator lamp is OFF.
   When the charging connector is not connected properly, reconnect the charging cable to charge.
   • You can start charging when the Power button is in the OFF position and the shift lever is in P (Park). After charging has started, you can use electrical components such as the radio by press-ing the Power button to the ACC or ON position.
   • If you move the shift lever from P (Park) to R (Rear), N (Neutral), D (Drive), charging stops immediately. If you want to start charging again, place the shift lever to P (Park) and press the Power button to the OFF position. Unplug and reconnect the charging cable to start charging again.
10. After charging has started, the estimated charging time is displayed on the instrument cluster for about 1 minute.
    If you open the driver seat door while charging, the estimated charging time is also displayed on the instrument cluster for about 1 minute.
    When reserved charging is set, the estimated charging time is displayed as “–” .
    Depending on the condition and durability of the high-voltage battery, charger specifications, and ambient temperature, the time required for charging the battery may vary.
11. You may prevent possible charging cable theft by taking the following steps. Lock the door after the charging cable is connected, by pressing the lock button on the smart key or on the central door lock switch.
    When the door is locked, the charging connector will become locked and this will prevent possible theft.
    So, after charging is complete, you must release the door lock in order to disconnect the charging connector.

Unlock Charging Door in Emergency
If the charging door does not open due to battery discharge and failure of the electric wires, open the hood and slightly pull the emergency cable as shown above. The charging door will then open.

FAQ