2023 Kia Niro EV Owner’s Manual

The 2023 Kia Niro EV will be a leader in the world of electric transportation, bringing together eco-friendly innovations and cutting-edge technology in a way that works well. This forward-thinking crossover uses the power of electricity to offer thrilling performance and emission-free driving, showing how committed Kia is to being environmentally friendly. The Niro EV is a strong rival in the world of electric vehicles because it has a beautiful exterior design that combines aesthetics and aerodynamics and can be charged quickly. Its smartly designed interior, with high-tech infotainment features and ways to connect to other devices, strikes a good mix between convenience and comfort. The 2023 Kia Niro EV takes the idea of pollution-free urban transportation to a new level, ushering in a new age of clean and exciting mobility.

Overview of electric vehicle

An electric vehicle is driven using a battery and an electric motor. While general vehicles use an internal combustion vehicle and gasoline as fuel, electric vehicles use electrical energy that is
charged & stored inside the high-voltage battery.
As a result, battery electric vehicles do not require gasoline and do not give off tailpipe emissions.

Characteristics of electric vehicles 
It is driven using the electrical energy that is charged & stored inside the high-voltage battery. This method of propulsion eliminates tailpipe emissions from the vehicle.
A high-performance electric motor is used in the vehicle as well. Compared to many internal combustion vehicle vehicles, vehicle noise and vibrations are much more minimal when driving.
When decelerating or driving downhill, regenerative braking is utilized to charge the high-voltage battery. This reduces energy loss and can increase the distance to empty.
When the battery charge is not sufficient, AC charge (L2-Normal), DC charge and Trickle charge (L1-Trickle) are available. (Refer to “Charge types for electric vehicle” on page 1-16.)

NOTICE
What Does Regenerative Braking Do?
It uses the electric motor when decelerating and braking and recaptures & transforms kinetic to electrical energy in order to charge the high-voltage battery. (Torque is applied in the opposite direction when decelerating to generate braking force and electric energy.)

Battery information
The vehicle is composed of a high-voltage battery that drives the motor, air conditioner, and charges an auxiliary battery (12V) that drives all other 12V systems.
The auxiliary battery is automatically charged when the vehicle is in the READY mode or the high voltage battery is being charged.

Main components of electric vehicle 

• On-Board Charger (OBC): Trans-forms (inverts) AC power charge power, to DC power, 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 (converts) power from the high voltage battery to low voltage (12V) to supply power to the vehicle (DC-DC).
• VCU: Functions as a supervisory controller of electric vehicle
• Motor: Uses electrical energy stored inside the high voltage battery to drive the vehicle (functions like a vehicle 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): Stores and supplies power necessary for the electric vehicle to operate (12V auxiliary battery provides power to the vehicle features such as lights and wipers).
  • OBC: On-Board Charger
  • LDC: Low Voltage DC-DC Converter
  • VCU: Vehicle Control Unit

High voltage (HV) battery (lithium-ion)

•  The charge amount of the high-voltage battery may gradually decrease when the vehicle is not driven or charged.
• The battery capacity of the high voltage battery may decrease over time when the vehicle is stored in high or low temperatures.
• Distance to empty may vary depend – ing on the driving conditions (cargo, rain, snow, wind, road surfaces), even if the charge amount is the same. The high-voltage battery may expend more energy when driving a fast pace 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 distance to empty.
  Make sure to set moderate temperatures when using the air conditioner/ heater and/or use the pre-condition- ing feature prior to departures.
• Natural degradation may occur with the high voltage battery depending on the number of years the vehicle was used and/or the number of charging cycles. This will reduce the distance to empty over time.
  When the charge capacity and distance to empty suddenly or dramatically drops, contact an authorized Kia dealer for inspection and maintenance.

High voltage battery warmer sys tem (if equipped)
The high-voltage battery warmer system prevents the reduction of battery output when the battery temperature is low. If the charging connector is connected, the warmer system automatically operates according to the battery temperature.
Charging time may shorten compare to vehicles without the high-voltage battery warmer system. But, the use of electricity charge may increase because of high
voltage battery warmer system operation.

EV menu

If you select the EV menu at the multimedia system home screen, you can enter EV menu.

The image of EV menu screen in this manual may differ from the actual screen depending on the vehicle specification and the version of the multi-media system software.

INFORMATION
The infotainment system may change after software updates. For more information, refer to the manual provided in the infotainment system and the quick reference guide.

EV mode screen

1. Energy Information
2. Next Departure
3. Charging and Climate
4. Vehicle to Load (V2L)
5. Nearby Stations
6. EV Settings
7. Menu

NLCD display messages

V2L has ended. Battery level has reached the set value
A: V2L has ended. Battery level has reached the set value
When the high voltage battery level reaches the discharging limit set level, the V2L will stop and the warning will be displayed. If you want to use the V2L continuously, make the discharging limit set level lower than the present battery level.

V2L stopped due to excessive power use
A: V2L stopped due to excessive power use
If you use an electrical appliance that exceeds the maximum power output the vehicle can supply, it will stop working and display a warning message. Make sure that the total power consumption of your electrical appliance exceeds the V2L maximum power output.

V2L conditions not met
A: V2L conditions not met
If V2L is interrupted for any of the following reasons, a warning message is displayed.
V2L connector switch off
V2L connector overheating
Opening the charging door while using the V2L indoor outlet
Make sure there are no problems with the V2L connector and the vehicle indoor outlet.

Driving electric vehicle

How to start the vehicle

1. With the smart key in the vehicle, sit in the driver’s seat.
2. Fasten the seat belt before starting the vehicle.
3. Make sure to engage the parking brake.
4. Make sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.
5. Make sure the vehicle is in P (Park).
6. Depress and hold the brake pedal while pressing the EV button.
7. When the READY indicator is ON, you can drive the vehicle. When the READY indicator is OFF, you cannot drive the vehicle. Start the vehicle again.
   Vehicle ON → READY (Green)
8. Press and hold the brake pedal and shift to the desired position.
9. Release the parking brake and slowly release the brake pedal. Check if the vehicle slowly moves forward, then depress the accelerator pedal.

How to stop the vehicle

1. Hold down the brake pedal while the vehicle is parked.
2. Shift to P (Park).
3. Engage the parking brake.
4. Press the EV button and turn off the vehicle.
5. Check if the READY indicator is turned OFF in the instrument cluster.

Virtual vehicle Sound System (VESS)
Virtual vehicle Sound System (VESS) generates a vehicle sound for pedestrians to hear the vehicle because there is no sound while the Electric Vehicle (EV) is operating.
If the vehicle is in the READY mode and the gear is not in P (Park), the VESS will operate.
When the gear is shifted to R (Reverse), an additional warning sound will be heard.

Distance to empty
The distance to empty is displayed differently according to the selected drive mode in the drive mode integrated control system.
On average, a vehicle can drive approximately 407 km (253 mile).
* Estimated range based on manufacturer testing.

NOTICE

• Your mileage will vary depending on a number of factors, including battery age, ambient temperature, driving habits, options, cargo, and others. EPA estimates, when available, can be found at fueleconomy.gov.
• Under certain circumstances where the air conditioner/heater is ON, the distance to empty is impacted, result ing in a possible distance range from 241~563 km (150~350 mile). When using the heater during cold weather or driving at high speed, the high-voltage battery consumes a lot more electricity. This may reduce the distance to empty significantly.
• After ‘0 km’ has been displayed, charge the vehicle immediately. The vehicle can drive an additional 3~8 km (2~5 miles) depending on driving speed, heater/air conditioner, weather, driving style, and other fac- tors. Drive your vehicle at approximately 50 km/h (30 mph) to the nearest charging station.
• Distance to empty that is displayed on the instrument cluster after completing a recharge may vary significantly depending on previous operating pat terns.
  When previous driving patterns include high-speed driving, resulting in the high voltage battery using more electricity than usual, the estimated distance to empty is reduced. When the high-voltage battery uses little electricity in ECO mode, the estimated distance to empty increases.
• Distance to empty may depend on many factors such as the charge amount of the high voltage battery, weather, temperature, durability of the battery, geographical features, and driving style.
  When the outside temperature drops, such as in winter, the distance to empty may decrease due to battery performance degradation.
• 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.

FAQ