Kia EV6 and EV9: travelling at 800 volts

The 800-volt architecture introduced in the latest Kia products, the EV6 and EV9, shows that fast charging is a great advantage for tackling long journeys without having to stop for long periods.

Thanks to its efficiency and high-capacity batteries, the Kia EV6 is homologated for up to 528 (RWD) and 506 kilometres (AWD) with the 77.4 kWh battery. The larger model, EV9, promises 505 km on the WLTP combined cycle.

The new generation of electric motors, the E-GMP architecture, the power electronics and the aerodynamics allow the Kia EV6 to achieve consumption figures between 16.5 and 20.6 kWh/100 km, while the EV9 promises an average consumption of 22.8 kWh/100 km, a restrained figure for its enormous size and level of performance.

Digitalisation, the key

But these are not the only reasons, since Kia has developed a digital ecosystem that helps make the charging process and route planning easier, with location of charging points along the route and its convenience through the Kia Charge application. It provides access to an extensive network of charging points and the Kia Connect Live services, which offer real-time information on their availability and prices.

In Europe, this network consists of more than 680,500 charging points in 28 countries, with 15,000 points in Spain, and it continues to grow thanks to partnerships with Ionity, Digital Charging Solutions (DCS) and local providers. The Kia Charge app includes chargers from multiple operators (Repsol, Endesa, Iberdrola, Zunder…), and spares the user from having to download different apps, while the customer receives a single invoice covering all charging sessions.

In addition, the intelligent route planner recently introduced on the EV9 allows the journey to be organised according to the energy available, the availability of charging points, traffic conditions or any last-minute diversion notices. When the navigation system detects that the battery charge is not sufficient to reach the destination, it recommends a charging point along the planned route. The system indicates when, where and for how long to charge, and it shows the charging time in the estimated arrival time and the forecast battery charge level, not only in relation to the destination but also to the next charging stop.

The battery, ready for charging

The battery conditioning system of the EV9, also available on the EV6, is connected to the route planner so that the battery is at its optimum temperature on arrival at the charging station. The EV9 also has another feature that makes charging much easier: the Plug and Charge system, which allows the car to connect to compatible charging stations and start charging immediately, without the need for additional identification or an intermediate step. This function avoids unnecessary waste of time searching for apps, filling in fields and bank details, so that as soon as the plug is inserted into the vehicle, the charging process starts automatically.

High-power charging is essential. Thanks to the 240 kW on-board charger, both the Kia EV6 and the EV9 can complete charging very quickly: from 10 to 80% of their battery in just 18 minutes for the EV6, and in 24 minutes for the EV9, if charged at a high-power charger.

800-volt technology offers greater charging speed and allows lower current during charging, which reduces heating and helps the system retain energy better. As a result, the energy leaving the charger is used more effectively, reducing losses.

Smooth ride

Undoubtedly, one of the great advantages of electric mobility is its driving pleasure, with a very smooth ride, absence of noise and vibration, and great agility thanks to its enormous acceleration capacity and torque delivery… The E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) of Kia incorporates suspension assemblies with soft, comfortable settings, excellent work on insulation, careful aerodynamics and a quiet, well-balanced electric motor, which together result in a silent and relaxed drive.

Both models deliver a pleasant driving experience, thanks to their running gear, low centre of gravity and well-balanced weight distribution. They also offer all-wheel drive systems to improve safety in low-grip conditions. The EV9 also features the Terrain Mode Select system, which lets drivers select mud, sand or snow mode to automatically adjust torque distribution and power delivery.

Plenty of driver assistance

Both models offer extensive safety and driver assistance equipment, with a motorway driving assistant, blind-spot detection, Lane Following Assist, intelligent cruise control, which can reduce the vehicle’s speed on bends and restore it when conditions allow.

It is also possible to change lanes automatically. With your hands on the steering wheel and above a certain speed, a press of the indicator stalk will cause the car to move automatically into the corresponding lane.

The FCA (Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist) system now includes turning and crossing-traffic functions at junctions. If the indicator is activated, the system warns the driver if there is a risk of collision with an approaching vehicle. Likewise, the system warns if vehicles are approaching from the left or right when the driver crosses a junction in a straight line.

They also feature an intelligent lighting system that allows drivers to use high beam without dazzling oncoming traffic.

Test passed

To check the advantages of travelling in an electric Kia, we carried out a day-long test with an EV9 (outbound) and an EV6 (return) between Madrid, Burgos and Madrid, recharging twice at Zunder high-power points, although a single recharge would have been enough, as the complete journey was 452 km.

We left Alcobendas, Madrid, in an EV9 at 99% charge, stopping at km 153 (Área Tudanca service station) in Aranda de Duero. Driving at legal speeds and with an outside temperature of 19ºC, we reached the Zunder charging point with 66% battery, and the average consumption for the trip was 28.5 kWh/100 km.

Thanks to an average power of 114 kW supplied by the Zunder point, charging was completed to 100% in 34 minutes, at a cost of 18.15 euros for the 33 kWh consumed (€0.55/kWh at stations of over 50 kW, without a monthly subscription).

To finish the journey from Aranda de Duero to Burgos (90.8 km), leaving with 100% battery, we consumed 27.8 kWh/100 km, arriving with 72% of battery capacity (98% motorway and 2% urban driving).

For the return, we used an Kia EV6 charged to 100% with a 77.4 kWh battery, which allows it to be homologated for a WLTP cycle range of up to 506 km, although when setting off, the indicator showed 473 km of maximum range.

In this case, we decided to make the journey in one go, without stops, and driving at around 120-125 km/h, we reached our destination with 24% battery and a remaining range of 116 km. The average consumption in this case was 19.3 kWh/100 km.

We can draw several conclusions from this experience: it is clearly possible to travel in an electric car at a fairly modest cost, provided we start the journey with the battery fully charged at home. It is true that gradients and temperature greatly reduce range, so it is advisable to precondition the cabin when the vehicle is plugged into the mains (either at home or at the charging point). Heating is a gift in a combustion engine and a punishment in an electric one.

Also, speed is crucial for consumption, especially on motorways, where a constant speed is maintained with barely any lifting off the accelerator, whereas on secondary roads you rely more on the brakes and take advantage of deceleration for recharging.

It is essential to charge at high-power DC points on journeys, as it requires less time to reach the desired charge, although it is true that it is usually not worth going beyond 80%, as it takes more time and you pay a high price per kWh.

Although the situation is improving, there is still a lot of work ahead. There are areas of Spain with very few fast-charging points, they are not well signposted, they are located in poorly visible areas, and in unappealing situations for spending half an hour or more outdoors, with very different prices between the various energy suppliers…

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

CrossoverKIA EV65 versions · from 48,995 €

Off-RoadKIA EV92 versions · from 85,185 €