About | Batteries | Charging | Drivetrain | Community | Reviews
About the Kia Soul EV
The Kia Soul EV was first introduced as a 2015 model and is said to be ending production in 2023.
| Year Range | 2015-2017 | 2018-2019 | 2020-2023 |
| Horsepower | 81.4 kW 109 hp | 81.4 kW 109 hp | 150 kW 201 hp 204 PS |
| Torque | 210 lb-ft 285 Nm | 210 lb-ft 285 Nm | 291 lb-ft 395 Nm |
| Battery | 27 kWh (LiPo) | 30 kWh (LiPo) | 64 kWh (LiPo) |
| Charging Standard | CHAdeMO (100 kW) | CHAdeMO (100 kW) | CCS (100 kW) |
| Electric Motors | Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous | Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous | Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous |
| 0 to 60 mph | 9.5 seconds | 9.2 seconds | 7.6 seconds |
Kia Soul EV FAQ
What sets the Kia Soul EV apart?
The Kia Soul EV body and chassis are made of recycled materials, creating a more sustainable vehicle.
What vehicles compete with the Kia Soul EV?
- Honda HR-V
- Toyota BZ4X
- Hyundai Ioniq
- Hyundai Kona Electric
- Chevrolet Bolt
How do I start a Kia Soul EV?
With the key fob on your person, simply enter the vehicle, put your foot on the brake, and press the start button. The car should now be ready to select a gear and drive.
Kia Soul EV Batteries
Drive Battery | 12V Battery | Key Fob Battery
Drive Battery / Traction Battery
Drive Battery Specs
| Year Range | 2015-2017 | 2018-2020 | 2020-2023 |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion Polymer | Lithium Ion Polymer | Lithium Ion Polymer |
| Battery Energy | 27 kWh 30 kWh | 31.8 kWh | 64 kWh |
| Battery Voltage | 360 V | 375 V | 356 V |
| Battery Range | 93 miles 150 km | 111 miles 179 km | 243 miles 391 km |
| Battery Cooling | Air | Air | Liquid |
| Battery Weight | 277 kg 611 lbs | 290 kg 639 lbs | 457 kg 1007 lbs |
| Battery Cell Count | 192 | 200 | 294 |
Drive Battery FAQs
How much do Kia Soul EV replacement drive batteries cost?
As of 2023, the price of a 2016 Kia Soul EV replacement battery is right around $16,680, not including labor, shipping, and taxes, with a $2500 core charge. A core charge is an extra payment due at the time of sale, that is refunded when you send the parts supplier your old battery.
Where do I purchase a Kia Soul EV replacement drive battery?
The Dealership – Likely the best place to find a replacement drive battery for the Kia Soul EV is the dealer themselves.
eBay – One of the best places to find gently used batteries for the Kia Soul EV is eBay. Cars that have been wrecked or written off as a total loss can still have good batteries.
Check eBay for Kia Soul EV Drive Batteries
SecondLife-EVBatteries.com – Based in the UK, Second Life EV Batteries came about from running their own electrical projects that required quality lithium batteries. They are advocates for the mantra of “Reuse, Repurpose & Recycle” and are keen to get batteries repurposed into a new useful application rather than allowing them to be discarded in landfill. While their website may not be updated, give them a ring to see if they have what you need.
MyKIAParts.com – If looking for a replacement battery, check the Genuine OEM parts supplier, MyKIAParts.
MyKiaParts.com: Kia Soul EV Battery
Where is the drive battery located in the Kia Soul EV?
The drive battery in the Kia Soul EV is located under the floor of the vehicle, spanning the area between the front and rear wheels.
How do I change the battery in the Kia Soul EV?
Replacing the battery in a Kia Soul EV should only be performed by a competent technician, trained in high-voltage battery removal. It may void your warranty if any garage other than a Kia-authorized repair shop works on your vehicle.
Drive Battery Charging
Kia Soul EV Charge-Port Location
Both the AC charging port and the CHAdeMO charging port on the Kia Soul EV is located just above the front bumper, between the headlights, behind a body-colored panel.
Kia Soul EV Charge-Plug Type
The 2015-2019 US-based Kia Soul EV uses a J1772 / CHAdeMO combination type connector to charge its drive battery.
The 2020-2023 Kia e-Soul uses a Type 2 Mennekes – IEC 62196 for the standard charge port, and a CCS1 for DC fast-charging.
| Model Years | Charge Port Type | Fast-charge Port Type |
| 2020-2023 | Type 2 Mennekes – IEC 62196 | CCS Combo 2 |
| 2015-2019 | J1772 / CHAdeMO | – |
Type J1772 Connectors on Amazon
Level 1 Charging – How long does the Kia Soul EV take to charge on a 110v AC outlet?
As a level 1, 120v home charging source, the Kia Soul EV is capable of charging to a usable state overnight, but will likely take the better part of a day to charge fully.
| Year, Make, Model, Charging Architecture | Time to Charge (90-100%) |
| 2023 Kia Soul EV 120v 2.3kW AC | 32 hours 45 minutes |
| 2022 Kia Soul EV 120v 2.3kW AC | 32 hours 45 minutes |
| 2021 Kia Soul EV 120v 2.3kW AC | 32 hours 45 minutes |
| 2020 Kia Soul EV 120v 2.3kW AC | 32 hours 45 minutes |
| 2019 Kia Soul EV 120v 1.3kW AC | 33 hours |
| 2018 Kia Soul EV 120v 1.3kW AC | 33 hours |
| 2017 Kia Soul EV 120v 1.3kW AC | 24 hours |
| 2016 Kia Soul EV 120v 12a AC | 24 hours |
| 2015 Kia Soul EV 120v 12a AC | 24 hours |
Level 2 Charging – How long does the Kia Soul EV take to charge on a 208-240v AC charger?
As a level 2 wired home-charging source, the Kia Soul EV is typically capable of of charging by the time you wake up, if you plug it in when you get home at night.
| Year, Make, Model, Charging Architecture | Time to Charge (90-100%) |
| 2023 Kia Soul EV 240V 7.2kW AC | 10 hours 30 minutes |
| 2022 Kia Soul EV 240V 7.2kW AC | 10 hours 30 minutes |
| 2021 Kia Soul EV 240V 7.2kW AC | 10 hours 30 minutes |
| 2020 Kia Soul EV 240V 7.2kW AC | 10 hours 30 minutes |
| 2019 Kia Soul EV 240V 6.6kW AC | 6 hours |
| 2018 Kia Soul EV 240V 6.6kW AC | 6 hours |
| 2017 Kia Soul EV 240V 6.6kW AC | 4 hours 50 minutes |
| 2016 Kia Soul EV 240V 30a AC | 5 hours |
| 2015 Kia Soul EV 240V 30a AC | 5 hours |
How to Choose the Right Level 2 Home Charger for Your Kia Soul EV
There are many considerations when it comes to selecting the right Level 2 charger for your Kia Soul EV, take a look at our guide on selecting a home charger to give yourself the information you need to make the right choice.
Level 3 Charging – How long does the Kia Soul EV take to charge on a public DC fast charger?
On a level 3, 440V DC charging source, the Kia Soul EV is capable of charging quite quickly. Please reference the following table to gain a sense of time involved in gaining a charge of 80+%.
| Year, Make, Model, Charging Architecture | Time to Charge (80+%) |
| 2023 Kia Soul EV 77kW DC | 44 minutes |
| 2022 Kia Soul EV 77kW DC | 44 minutes |
| 2021 Kia Soul EV 77kW DC | 44 minutes |
| 2020 Kia Soul EV 77kW DC | 44 minutes |
| 2019 Kia Soul EV 480V 50kW DC | 46 minutes |
| 2018 Kia Soul EV 480V 50kW DC | 46 minutes |
| 2017 Kia Soul EV 480V 50kW DC | 43 minutes |
| 2016 Kia Soul EV 480V 50kW DC | 33 minutes |
| 2015 Kia Soul EV 480V 50kW DC | 33 minutes |
12V Battery
If the 12V battery goes dead in the Kia Soul EV, the entire car will not function. Maintaining the health of your 12V battery will make it less likely that you get stranded on the side of the road.
Kia Soul EV 12V Battery Location
The Kia Soul EV’s 12V battery is located under the hood, where the engine would be. It is located in the middle of the engine bay, slightly to the right as you are looking in.
Kia Soul EV 12V Battery Size
The Kia Soul EV has a 12v 45AH aux battery to power low-voltage accessories such as the dash cluster and the battery controller.
Kia Soul EV 12V Battery Terminal Maintenance
Maintaining your Kia Soul EV 12V battery terminals is essential to ensuring a positive electrical contact. We recommend cleaning terminals and using a terminal protectant spray to prevent corrosion on your battery terminals.
CRC Battery Cleaner w/ Acid Detector will clean your battery terminals and surface, neutralizing acids and detecting leaks.
CRC Battery Terminal Protector Spray is designed to protect battery terminals from corrosion, a leading cause of hard starting and battery failure.
Kia Soul EV 12V Battery Testing, Maintenance and Repair
Battery testers are an inexpensive way to save yourself time in repairing your Kia Soul EV. A healthy 12V battery will read between 12.6 and 12.8 volts when tested. Anything lower, and you may want to consider replacing your batteries or checking the battery fluid levels.
How to charge the Kia Soul EV 12V battery
You can charge the Kia Soul EV’s 12V battery with a normal 12V charger. If you you’ll notice the top of the battery, to which you can clamp the positive (+) and negative (-) cables to charge the vehicle’s 12V battery.
Kia Soul EV 12V Battery Chargers
| Battery Charger | Where to Purchase? |
| NOCO GENIUS 10 (12V & 6V) 10A Smart Car Battery Charger | Amazon |
| Battery Tender Junior 12V 750 mA Charger and Maintainer | Amazon |
| OptiMATE Lithium 4s 0.8A, TM-471 Battery Saving Charger & Maintainer | Amazon |
Remote Key Fob Battery
The Kia Soul EV features keyless entry. To replace the battery in the key fob, you’ll first need a new CR2032 3V lithium battery.
Find CR2032 3V Lithium Batteries on Amazon
From there, you’ll want to find yourself a flathead screwdriver, and set about replacing your key fob by following this video:
Kia Soul EV Drivetrain
Electric Motor
The Kia Soul EV features a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor.
| Year Range | 2015-2019 | 2020+ |
| Electric Motor Peak Output | 81.4 kW 109 hp | 150 kW 201 hp 204 PS |
| Electric Motor Torque | 210 lb-ft 285 Nm | 291 lb-ft 395 Nm |
Transmission
The Kia Soul EV uses a direct drive transmission to power the front wheels
Join a Kia Soul EV Community
MyKiaSoulEV.com/forum/ – A forum dedicated to Kia Soul EV owners, drivers, and enthusiasts.
KiaEVForum.com – Register for the latest discussion and news about Kia’s electric vehicles: Kia Soul EV, EV1, EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, EV7, EV8, and EV9
KiaOwnersClub.co.uk: KiaSoulEV – A UK forum dedicated to Kia Owners, with a specific subforum for the Kia Soul EV
Reddit.com/r/SoulEV – A subreddit just for Kia Soul EV enthusiasts.
Reddit.com/r/ElectricVehicles – This is the Reddit community for EV owners and enthusiasts. Discuss evolving technology, new entrants, charging infrastructure, government policy, and the ins and outs of EV ownership right here.
Kia Soul EV Reviews
Kia Soul EV Buyer’s Guide
The Late Brake Show always delivers a reliable review and guide toward buying a used vehicle. Any potential Kia Soul EV owner would be smart to have a look at this video beforehand:
