Kia Ray EV

Kia Ray EV is Korea’s very first produciton electric vehicle. It is to all intents and purposes a normal city car with ordinary looks, but a zero-emissions powertrain with lively performance and a range of up to 139 km (86 miles) on a single charge.

For supply exclusively to the domestic Korean market, the Kia Ray EV is a close relative of Kia’s 1.0-liter gasoline powered Ray CUV, which went on sale in Korea last month.  It shares that model’s major dimensions and, in a global first for an EV manufacturer, can share a production line with conventional combustion-engine cars.

Kia will be providing government agencies and offices with 2500 units of the car for testing and evaluation. It would be nice if they could enhance the performance a bit. It is pretty shabby.

Kia press release:

The front-wheel drive Ray EV is powered by a 50kW electric motor and a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack that is engineered for a 10-year life cycle and skilfully packaged under the rear seat and cabin floor.

Although the Ray EV weighs 187 kg more than the gasoline model, the electric motor’s generous torque – 167 Nm (an increase of 77%) – ensures responsive performance.  The EV’s acceleration is brisker than the gasoline models (0-to-100 kph in 15.9 seconds), while top speed is 130 kph (81 mph).  Recharging times are six hours using a 220V household supply and just 25 minutes in fast-charge mode.

The Ray EV’s automatic transmission offers the driver a choice of two modes while in ‘D’ drive.  ‘E’ (or ‘eco’) mode optimises the delivery of the motor’s torque to achieve minimum battery consumption and maximum driving range.  ‘B’ (or ‘brake’) mode can be selected when driving downhill on highways and on mountain roads to maximise braking power.

Bearing the same striking exterior styling as its gasoline cousin, the Kia Ray EV has four small distinguishing points.  A flap in the front radiator grille covers an electricity inlet for a 220V supply for the slow recharge mode, another inlet (for the fast recharge mode) is fitted in the same location as the fuel intake of the regular models, special decals on each front door proclaim the ‘Zero Emissions EV’ message and super-smooth 14-inch alloy wheels improve aerodynamic performance by minimising drag.

Inside, the Ray EV features a unique instrument cluster, displaying electric motor operation, battery status and distance to recharge. It is also equipped with the first-ever EV-specific navigation system that features a seven-inch screen and provides crucial information for EV drivers such as the nearest locations of the slow/fast recharging stations.  The display shows a circular shaped area in which the model can travel with its current level of battery power, so that drivers can see which destinations are reachable without a recharge.

Currently there are 500 slow/fast recharge stations in Korea, and the government plans to increase that figure to 3,100 stations by the end of 2012.

The Kia Ray EV embodies numerous innovations.  The electric motor achieves 93% efficiency, which is the best in its segment.  The lithium ion polymer battery’s cell is optimised and highly integrated, which has enabled its weight to be reduced by 13% and its energy density to be increased by 15% compared to competitors’ systems.

The on-board charger, current inverter, high-low voltage converter and EV-specific VCU (vehicle control unit) each features advances over previous equipment.

Ray EV is also equipped with a new type of regenerative braking system featuring an Active Hydraulic Booster that utilises the electric motor, instead of the gasoline engine in the regular model, to create hydraulic pressure for the brake system.  The result is consistent brake pedal force throughout a wide variety of driving conditions and the ability to harvest excess energy and use it to recharge the car’s battery.

Unlike regular gasoline vehicles, Ray EV generates no engine noise, which can be a potential problem with pedestrians being unaware of the approaching car.  To prevent accidents, Kia has fitted Ray EV with a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System).  When driven at speeds below 20 kph (12 mph) this system delivers a mixture of recorded gasoline engine noises, which are also emitted whenever the car is backing up.

Japan and the USA are already considering the introduction of a legal requirement for EVs to have a virtual engine sound, and Kia has taken the first step to commercialise this system in order to anticipate the global industry’s trend.

To ensure that the Ray EV is as safe as gasoline cars, it is equipped with six air-bags, and electronic stability features – VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) and HAC (Hill Assist Control, to prevent roll-back) – as standard