“We gonna rock down to electric avenue, and then we’ll take it higher…”
This song plays in my mind as I push the Start button and turn the shift dial to Drive in the new 2021 Kia Soul EV Limited – a sharp-looking compact crossover SUV that I’m test driving for the week.
My first time ever driving an EV, I’m hesitant to trust the technology. As I slowly ease my foot off the gas pedal, the vehicle smoothly rolls in reverse, and I watch the guiding lines on the back-up camera as I’m directed out of my driveway. When I’m ready to shift back into Drive, I reach for the gear shifter (usually found to the right of the steering wheel in my own vehicle), and then laugh, realizing that it’s not there. Instead, another turn of the dial on the centre console propels me forward and I’m on my way.
When I pick up my kids from school, they’re impressed by the sleek design of the exterior, but are most excited to check out the interior. Our usual family vehicle – an oversized SUV from 2003 – lacks all of the flashy features of this new daily driver, so the heated seats, sun roof, and Apple CarPlay integration leave them starry eyed. Then, my son spots the slide-up hidden hologram display above the driver’s dash (known as the Head Up Display) and asks what it’s all about. When I explain that this feature allows me to see the posted speed limit, my own speed, and any cars that might be passing, he fixates on that feature, leaning into me to watch it at work as I drive us home.
I, too, am dazzled by the flashy features of our new four-wheeled friend. For me though, I am most impressed by how easy it is to drive (powerful!), charge (easily plugs into our garage outlet), and load (the trunk is surprisingly spacious considering its compact size). I had only recently begun to contemplate the possibility of adding an EV to our roster of family vehicles (which consists of one car for my commuting husband, and a larger vehicle for the daily back-and-forth of school drop-offs, dance classes, and sporting events for my three kids).
My hesitation: concerns around price, power, and ease of use. And apparently, I’m not alone.
What I didn’t know about EVs:
In a recent study conducted by Angus Reid, Kia Canada gathered Canadians’ knowledge about electric vehicles (EVs) to identify common misconceptions that act as barriers to trial and purchase. In their results they found that:
- 82% had never driven an electric vehicle (EV)
- 47% of Canadians are hesitant to purchase an electric vehicle due to common consumer misconceptions, and of this group:
- 59% of Canadians believe EVs are too expensive and costly to maintain
- 50% of Canadians feel that finding a charging station is a nuisance
- 49% of Canadians feel that EVs cannot drive long distances
- 30% of Canadians feel that it takes too long to charge an electric vehicle
- 54% of Canadians are more likely to purchase an EV knowing the Canadian government offers sales incentives to offset the higher cost of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)
Through my 10 days behind the wheel of an EV for my first time, I realized that there was a lot that I hadn’t known about EVs – my mind filled with many of the same misconceptions as noted above.
I’ve discovered that EVs don’t have to be expensive. The 2021 Kia Soul EV Premium for example, starts at $42,895 (far less than the base price for one of the more commonly known EV brands). Plus, Canadian residents are eligible for up to a $5,000 rebate when purchasing a zero-emission vehicle.
I worried about difficulty finding charging stations when on longer drives, and was pleased to discover that the display on the centre screen shows the closest charging station in your area as you drive. I was also pleased to learn that one full charge loads the car up with (approx) 383 kms, allowing me to drive far longer distances without charging than I had thought possible. I also learned that with the right adapter, the 2021 Kia Soul EV can be charged to 80% in under an hour using a level 3 (100 kW) DC fast charger, a huge benefit when considering long road trips.
Final thoughts:
Overall, I loved my first experience driving an EV. Over the 10 days I saved nearly $200 in gas (which would equate to a savings of approx $5,200/year). The car had power, and the easy-to-use features made it simple for me to get comfortable with the technology that I was hesitant to trust in the beginning of the test drive.
The 2021 Kia Soul EV was surprisingly spacious (I was able to comfortably drive myself, two children, and all of our gear to Mount Seymour for a ski day), and so easy to charge when needed.
For our family, I think the Kia Soul EV would make the perfect commuter car for my husband, offering him an abundance of gas savings, and enough power to satisfy his need for speed. While it’s not quite large enough to be a daily driver for our family of five (plus Dalmatian), we could definitely fit comfortably for day trips and weekend getaways.
Interested in learning more? Check out the Kia Canada website. To learn about Kia Canada’s green car line-up and commitment to sustainability visit kia.ca/greencars.
Disclaimer: This is sponsored content created in partnership with Kia Canada, however the opinions in this post are completely my own.
