Whether you drive or not, there's a very good chance you've heard about the latest vehicle type to hit the asphalt: electric vehicles (EVs for short). They're becoming an increasingly popular choice over gas-powered cars, and it's easy to see why.
EVs don't need to be filled with gas, and they release zero tailpipe emissions when they're running — which means they actually contribute to better air quality. No gas means no fossil fuels, and that means a healthier, more sustainable planet. It doesn't hurt that they also look super sleek and modern.
Kia Canada is among the leading carmakers who are obsessed with getting more EVs on the road. They already have a solid lineup of green vehicles, and they recently launched their first dedicated battery electric vehicle: the Kia EV6.
To give Canadians an idea of just how much oomph their electric engine really has, Kia hosted a concert powered in part by the vehicle's battery at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan, Ontario.
Canadian artist Fefe Dobson headlined the outdoor gig, singing tracks from her to-be-announced album. The multi-platinum singer, songwriter and actor performed with her band, including guitarist Ryan Chalmers who plugged into the Kia EV6 the entire time.
The concert was a one-of-kind event that showed the longevity and power of the vehicle's battery. For such showstopping tech, the performance was an electrifying display.
According to Elias El-Achhab, Kia Canada's VP and COO, the EV6 was completely unplugged for the entire performance and used less than 1% of its battery. The concert put the car's battery capacity on display, but also its ability to power other electronics.
"We also wanted to highlight that the EV6 has what we call V2L — vehicle to load technology — which allows you to draw power the same way as you would charge the vehicle," Elias told Narcity.
"So, you can use that to power an amp and run a concert, you can use that to power a TV screen or an AC unit, you can use it to charge another EV."
The show celebrated the bold and sleek Kia EV6, and showcased Kia's commitment to a more sustainable future for vehicles through Plan S — a long-term strategy to shift towards electric vehicles and customized mobility solutions by enabling "Movement that inspires."
"Part of Plan S is to look at mobility as a whole, not just in terms of building vehicles, and also making sure that the mobility equation is sustainable," said Elias.
The raw, green power of the EV6 is just one way Kia is inspiring Canadians to hit the road in a more sustainable way. Without a bulky combustion engine to make space for, the EV6 has a compact-looking exterior with interior space that's actually similar to a mid-to-large SUV. As well as its electric engine, the EV6 has other sustainable features, like its seats which are made from 111 plastic bottles' worth of recycled materials.
Plus, the vehicle's 800-volt, high-speed, multi-charging system means you can power up quickly. Just four-and-a-half minutes of charging gives you 100 kilometres of driving range, and with a fully charged battery, you can expect to drive around 480 kilometres before you need more power. Less time spent charging means more time to see new places, meet new people and experience movement that inspires.
A sleek, easy-to-charge car that feels as spacious as an SUV and emits zero tailpipe emissions is impressive, and it's what can be expected of Kia now and in the years to come. By 2025, Kia will have 7 EVs on offer, and by 2030, they're planning for eco-friendly vehicles to make up 40% of all Kia sales around the world.
According to Elias: "It's the way the industry has to go."
There's a lot to love about the EV6 and electric vehicles, and if you'd like to learn more, you can sign up for updates on Kia's website. If you're in Vancouver, you can visit Kia's EV Experience Centre for a hands-on look at the latest EV technology.
The EV6 is scheduled to launch in Canada in early 2022, with pricing information available before the end of this year.