Hello all.
We have a 2019 Soul EV (30KW) version that we just purchased in May with the 2 subsidies and the Kia $4K clearance discount (total off list was CAD$14,000.00). Bought it as a runabout for my wife as she still drive to work here on the Sunshine Coast (the price of gas is averaging over the last year $1.41per litre), so the fuel cost pay for the car. We love the car so much that we have been running all over the place, doing more trail walks etc as there is no guilt using an EV at anytime.
3 Weeks ago we ventured to Keremose, BC close to 800KM driving including the round trip and side trips and about 12 hours to return to Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal. Only range anxiety I had was travel ing up Allison Pass the first time (our last charge was in Chilliwack, BC), I was uncertain of our usage up that long climb, so we did Hope Slide level 3 charger for about 10 minutes as a buffer. I really did not need it even on the return with 4 adults and 12 case of peaches, never had any issues. Highway 3 is well served (at the moment), only bottleneck was manning Park, they could use 2 level 3 chargers there. I believe we averaged about 100-120KM between charge points and as this model can handle 47KW up to 75%, the charge stays were averaging about 22-25 minutes.
As for the 2019 Model KIA SOUL EV, my only real disappointment is the lack of UVO app that all Canadians experience with this model / year Soul, Our USA counter parts had this very useful remote vehicle app so you could check on charge status, control charge rates, set climate etc from anywhere. Glad the 2020 model have this feature in Canada.
Our next trip in a few weeks is to Edmonton AB, most of the way we are ok other than only one fast charger option in Calgary (presently) and then the next one in Red Deer (there are actually two), so about 154KM between the furthest point. For the trip we are changing the factory tires to Michelin CrossClimate Tires, they are a little more fuel efficient and can handle rain much better than the factory rubber, summer performance is great, are quieter and can handle the occasional snow we get on the coast and may run into on this trip.
Just a few days ago I ran into a Leaf owner 2016 model on the Sunshine coast, he was travelling up coast to Egmont, he got me to check out abetterrouteplanner and I think it is just great, especially as it takes elevation into account. This is making the trip planing a lot easier. I just wish you could login the map so the saved trips are available on any device. Would also be cool if it could take live data from the OBDII port, I currently have a Bluetooth dongle and using Soulspy, great for checking battery status (temp level etc), it may be possible. Tesla owners have it great as the app takes real time conditions into account.
We are really seriously considering a second EV for longer trips (would be nice to switch the 2007 Ford Focus (ICE) for another EV) . Heard a lot about Tesla model 3, very nice car tech is just outstanding but the seating is too low, we are getting close to retirement and seat access will be an issue. The Soul 2020 is such a great vehicle in it's own right that we may take up another KIA EV!
