Check Out the Kia Soul EV at National Drive Electric Week

soul-pluginThis post is sponsored by Kia Motors America;

however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Electric Vehicles are the future of mobility, and we’ve enjoyed the opportunity to drive several of them over the last few years, including the Kia Soul EV. Most people however are still barely even oriented with the concept. While they may see an occasional electric car on the highway or in their neighborhood, that is where the experience ends. Education is key to the transition that must happen away from fossil fuels, and consumers must become aware of and confident with the technology. That is what makes National Drive Electric Week so important. It’s a nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of today’s widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. They have events all over the country this week, and on Saturday we’re planning to attend one in Poolesville, Maryland.

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Think of it like a car show, but all of the cars are plug-ins. We’re excited to see Jim Alvis, Manager of Government Affairs for Kia Motors America Corporation, at the event, and he’s bringing along a new Kia Soul EV to demonstrate. The Kia Soul EV is an all-electric vehicle, meaning 100% electric and 100% gas-free. As one of the most practical and compelling EV’s in the market, this compact five passenger, five door vehicle is steering consumers towards a green lifestyle and offsetting our carbon footprint. We drove it two years ago when it was first introduced, and gave it a glowing review. The Soul has been such a popular vehicle, so making an electric version of it was a no-brainer. It really is a compelling car that is fun to drive, and we’re glad to see that it now has expanded availability after launching in California.

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Check out these interesting facts about the Kia Soul EV :

  • The Soul EV can be recharged by plugging the car into a standard outlet.
  • The Soul EV is the first car ever manufactured to feature a true “driver-only” ventilation system to save on energy.
  • On average the Soul EV will take you about 90 miles on one charge!
  • The Soul EV qualifies for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.

The average commute in the United States is only 13.6 miles, which means you can easily get to work, go out for lunch, and then drive home without ever having to charge the Soul EV. Plug it in overnight, and it’s ready to go again the next morning. Even if you have a long commute to work, many workplaces are beginning to add charging stations for employees, which is even better. Modern charging stations can re-charge the Soul EV battery even faster. We recently lived for an entire month with just a plug-in hybrid, and never had to re-fill the gas tank. We quickly figured out that with a bit of planning, we could very easily live completely gas free. With the impressive 90 mile range on the Kia Soul EV, it would be even easier.

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You can check out the Kia Soul EV, and maybe even see us this Saturday, September 17th in Poolesville, MD at National Drive Electric Week. Or check out the schedule below for other opportunities to see the new Kia Soul EV in action :

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