Kia launches Korea's first production EV

Kia's new Ray electric vehicle has hit the road, but only for participants in a long-term research project set to culminate in a full commercial product in 2014.

Kia has released Korea's first production EV. Sharing the slab-sided bodywork of petrol-engined Ray city car launched just a month prior, the Ray EV sees that model's 1.0-litre petrol four replaced by a 50kW electric motor over the front drive wheels, powered by a 16.4kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack under the rear seat and cabin floor.

At this point, the company is showing considerable caution in bringing electric product to market. Although it's in production, the Ray EV is not yet commercially available. Kia has announced the first 2500 units will go to government departments and public offices as part of its long-term real-world R&D program. The vehicle is a precursor to a crossover EV the company plans to launch in 2014.

Kia says the Ray EV's 187kg weight disadvantage is more than adequately compensated for by a peak torque advantage of 77 per cent (to 167Nm), which is delivered almost instantly. Officially, it's good for 0-100km/h in 15.9 seconds and a top speed of 130km/h, with a range of 'up to 139km'. Recharging takes around six hours from flat to full on a 220V household supply, and as little as 25 minutes using a rapid-charge outlet.

Kia says the Ray EV incorporates a raft of technological advances. Its dual-mode transmission lets drivers pick between a normal Drive or Eco calibrations, the latter optimising torque delivery to maximise energy efficiency and therefore range.  A 'Brake' mode increases engine braking downhill on highways.

The company has measured the operating efficiency of its electric motor at what it claims is a best-in-class 93 per cent. Battery optimisation and cell integration have helped cut the production pack's weight by 13 per cent from earlier incarnations, with what Kia claims to be a 15 per cent energy density advantage over competing product. The battery pack is engineered for a 10-year life cycle.

Kia has incorporated a state-of-the-art regenerative braking system that uses a hydraulic boost system, where the motor creates hydraulic pressure for the brake system. The result, Kia says, 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'.

Notably, US magazine Car and Driver was critical of the system, recalling an "odd disconnect between the brake pedal and palpable deceleration... similar to the problem we've noted with Kia's Optima hybrid".

To prevent sneak-up pedestrian accidents – a major problem with inherently silent EVs – Kia has fitted the RAY EV with what it calls (with comical importance of tone) a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System).  At speeds below 20 kph and in reverse, VESS plays recorded petrol engine noises.

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