2015 Kia Soul EV Production Begins Next Month
Last week, Kia announced that 2015 Kia Soul EV production will begin sooner than expected—next month, to be exact. Cue the dancing hamsters.
While a specific release date has not been set for the Soul EV here in the States, Kia is projecting some time in the third quarter of 2014. When it hits South Korean dealer lots later this year, we can expect a price tag of about $40,000, although drivers will in reality only be paying about half of that due to government subsidies.
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But don’t get too excited just yet. According to Reuters, initial 2015 Kia Soul EV production will be limited to about 5,000, at least for South Korea. Kia has reportedly set a lower sales target while it conducts feasibility studies on the Soul EV. We can expect the EV to be sold in greater quantities following the initial launch.
News of the 2015 Kia Soul EV production comes just as Hyundai announces that it, too, will be investing in a battery-powered electric vehicle. Previously, Kia was responsible for investing in EV technology while Hyundai focused on hydrogen fuel cell tech. But now, just as Hyundai invests in an EV (likely for 2016), Kia will begin (or possibly has begun) researching a hydrogen prototype as well.
Stay tuned with The News Wheel from more news out of Kia.
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The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.