Set to arrive in Ireland this spring, the new Kia EV2 has completed a 310.6 km winter test conducted by the Norwegian Automotive Federation.
The tested EV2 ‘GT-line’ prototype, equipped with a 61 kWh long-range battery and 19-inch wheels, was driven for more than five hours, respecting speed limits, in extremely cold conditions before coming to a full stop in Norway’s mountainous Jotunheimen region, where temperatures currently drop to -21°C.
Although WLTP has yet to be finalised, Kia says the target figure for the EV2 with the long-range battery is 448 km; 413 km for the EV2 ‘GT-line’ with 19-inch wheels.
This means the EV2 prototype achieved just over 75 per cent of its official range figure in freezing temperatures.
It also charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 36 minutes, only six minutes longer than official figures, despite the harsh sub-zero conditions.
Pablo Martinez Masip, vice president product and marketing of Kia Europe, said this result “serves as proof that the EV2 will continue to deliver reliable range even in extremely low temperatures”.
“Being the entry point to Kia’s EV line‑up does not mean compromising; the EV2 offers customers throughout Europe an affordable yet reliable way to enter electric mobility,” he said.
The EV2 is built on Kia’s 400V E-GMP architecture with 11kW AC, 22kW AC, and rapid DC fast charging capabilities.
The 42.2 kWh standard-range battery version is currently in production in Slovakia, and will arrive in Ireland first, followed by the 61 kWh long-range battery version later in the year.
