Kia has introduced Korea's first electric vehicle, the Kia Ray EV, based on the new, one-litre, petrol-powered Ray mini-MPV, which went on sale in Korea last month - in fact, in what the maker says is a world first, it will be built on the same production line as the conventional version.
The front-wheel drive Ray EV has a 50kW electric motor and a 16.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack (in two sections, one under the floor, the other under the back seat), which Kia says is engineered for a 10-year life cycle.
The battery-powered Ray weighs 187kg more than its petrol sibling, but has 77 percent more torque (167Nm at very low revs) so its acceleration to 100km/h (15.9 seconds) is actually quicker. Top speed is 130km/h and Kia claims a range of 139km (but not both at the same time!), while recharging takes six hours from a 220V domestic plug and 25 minutes in fast-charge mode.
The Ray EV's automatic transmission has two modes: E (or 'eco') mode optimises the delivery of the motor's torque to achieve minimum battery consumption and maximum driving range, while B (or 'brake') mode maximises braking power when driving downhill on highways and mountain roads.
The car uses the electric motor to provide hydraulic pressure for the brake booster system, which, according to the maker, provides consistent brake-pedal feel, as well as recovering excess energy to recharge the battery.
From the outside it looks exactly the same as the petrol version, except for a flap in the grille over the 220V socket , special decals on the front doors and super-smooth 14” alloy rims to improve aerodynamic performance by minimising drag.
Inside, a special instrument cluster displays electric motor operation, battery status and distance to recharge - as well as the first EV-specific navigation system, with a 225mm screen that provides crucial information for EV drivers, such as the locations of the nearest recharging stations. The display also shows the car's range as a circle on a map so the driver can see which destinations are within reach.
There are 500 slow or fast recharge stations in Korea now, and the government plans to increase that to 3100 by the end of 2012.
Like all electric cars, the Ray EV is almost silent - dangerously so - which is why Japan and the US are already considering the introduction of a legal requirement for EV's to have a synthetic engine noise.
Kia has anticipated this move by fitting a virtual engine sound system that makes typical petrol-engine noise when its travelling at less than 20km/h and when it's in reverse.
The Ray EV also has six airbags, hill hold and an electronic stability programme as standard.
Kia plans to build 2500 battery Rays during 2012, which will be used by government departments and public officials as part of Kia's research into environmentally friendly transport.