Boucher Kia Official Blog
What is the Hyundai – Kia Partnership at University of California Irvine?
By Product Expert | Posted in Kia News, Kia Optima, Kia Soul, Technology on Thursday, June 2nd, 2016 at 7:59 pm
The Kia brand is always looking for the next big thing in environmentally friendly vehicles, having taken steps to increase vehicle efficiency with the expansion of their eco-friendly lineup for the 2017 model year to include the all-new Niro, Optima PHEV and new version of the Optima Hybrid. Currently, the brand is in the midst of a Hyundai – Kia partnership for advanced eco-friendly technology that would further the capabilities of plug-in hybrids.
Partnering with the University of California Irvine (UCI), Kia Motors America and Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. are contributing to the efforts of the UCI’s Advanced Power and Energy Program that is working to develop algorithms to create a bi-directional flow of energy between battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids and power grids.
Kia’s Contribution
To help students and faculty at UCI research and develop the planned Vehicle-to-Grid advanced smart charging algorithms, the automaker is donating six Soul EVs. Using the Soul EV’s, researchers will be able to demonstrate and evaluate the charging behavior of BEV and PHEV vehicles and their impact on the grid.
2016 Kia Soul EV
As the all-electric version of one of the best family cars, the 2016 Kia Soul EV has the all the features of the 2016 Soul but with an eco-friendly spin. In the 2016 Soul EV drivers can still enjoy all the great connectivity features found in the Soul but with tweaks such as the Kia UVO eServices system on the Soul being adapted to a UVO EV system for more tailored telematics and programs.
Another Soul EV specific feature is the urban adventurer’s bio fabric seat trim. Available in gray with blue accent stitching, these eco-friendly seats are designed for comfort and durability. Typically seats are made from a petroleum-based polyester whereas the bio fabric of the Soul EV has taken more than 80 percent of that polyester and replaced it with sugar cane extract.
You can get more information on the 2016 Soul EV and the 2016 Soul when you come you come to Frank Boucher Kia in Racine, WI.
