Kia Motors has introduced the first electric vehicle in Korea, which is produced in series. The Kia Ray EV is a zero-emission and high-spirited city car that can travel with a single battery charge up to 139 kilometers. In its exterior dimensions corresponds to the gasoline-powered electric car Kia Ray (with 1-liter engine), which is in November 2011 arrived in Korea on the market. Both versions of the new CUV (City Utility Vehicle) can be produced on the same assembly line and are only available in Korea.
This vehicle is a prototype. It can not be bought!
The 50-kilowatt electric motor of the EV Kia Ray, which drives the front wheels, a lithium-ion polymer batteries (LiPoly) with energy. These high-performance battery with a capacity of 16.4 kilowatt hours on a service life of ten years under the rear seats and integrated into the base vehicle. The Kia Ray EV is 187 kg heavier though than conventionally powered model version. But by the high torque of the electric motor of 167 Nm (77 per cent more than the petrol version) says the E variant slightly and shows a lively ride.
Sprints from zero to 100 kilometers per hour, the Kia Ray EV in 15.9 seconds, top speed is 130 mph. The battery can be connected to a 220-volt household outlet within six hours to recharge, the fast charge mode will shorten the charging time to 25 minutes. The automatic transmission of EV Kia Ray has in the position D has two settings: the E-mode (for "Eco") provides in all driving situations, the optimum torque to minimize power consumption and achieve the greatest possible range. The B-mode (for "Brake") is designed for roads with steep slopes or hilly routes and provides the maximum available engine braking when the driver takes his foot off the gas.
The Kia Ray EV shows the same distinctive exterior design as the petrol engine with four small, but significant differences: Behind a flap in the grille hides the 220-volt outlet for standard charging. Where is the petrol tank, the valve is located on the Kia Ray placed the EV fast charging port. Lettering on both front doors ("Zero emission EV") indicate the emission-free operation of the electric version. And finally, the ultra smooth surfaces of the 14-inch alloy wheels, aerodynamics optimized in the wheel area. In the cockpit instrument panel informs the driver via the operating data of the electric motor, the battery charge level and remaining range. The Kia Ray EV is also equipped with the first navigation system that was designed specifically for electric cars. It consists of a 7-inch display and provides important information, for example, where the nearest one is charging or fast charging station.
The current range of the EV Ray is displayed on the screen by a circular mark. The destinations in this circuit can be achieved without recharging the battery. In Korea are currently 500 standard and quick-charging stations in operation. By the end of 2012, the government intends to expand this network to 3,100 stations. The Kia Ray EV has achieved many technological innovations. The electric motor has an efficiency of 93 percent - the best in this segment. The optimized and highly integrated lithium polymer battery is compared to systems of competitors by 13 percent lighter and has a 15 percent higher energy density. The on-board charger, power inverter, power converter (Hoch-/Niederspannung) and the special vehicle control device for electric cars have been improved over previous systems.
In addition, the Kia Ray EV is a new system for recovering braking energy (recuperation) equipped. It has an active hydraulic brake booster (Active Hydraulic booster). Similar to the conventionally powered model, the gasoline engine to brake booster is used, using the Active Hydraulic booster the electric motor to generate the hydraulic pressure for the brake system. This is the one the brake pedal force that the driver must apply the same in different driving situations. On the other hand, this system, the excess energy to recharge the batteries to use. Unlike vehicles with internal combustion engine of the Kia Ray EV caused virtually no engine noise. This can slow down when pedestrians are in town for a problem, because they may not notice that the vehicle is approaching.
To avoid accidents, Kia the Ray EV has a "virtual engine sound system" just fitted VESS: At speeds below 20 mph and always when the reverse gear is engaged, you hear an artificial engine sound that was mixed from the noise of a petrol engine . In Japan and the United States is already discussed above, require an artificial engine sound for electric vehicles by law. Kia has the Ray EV VESS taken the first step to use this system as standard and an industry-wide trend early to anticipate. To ensure that the Kia Ray EV is as safe as a vehicle with petrol engine, it comes as standard with six airbags and electronic assistance systems such as vehicle dynamic control VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) and hill start assist HAC (Hill Assist Control). Kia Motors plans to produce 2,500 units of the 2012 Ray EV, which will be delivered to government authorities and public administrations. Want this electric car fleet is part of a long-term, hands-on research and development program to design on the base of Kia environmentally friendly mobility rates for the coming decade.
