OREANDA-NEWS. Following the successful launch of the Soul EVlate last year in California, along with sales beginning in Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii earlier this year, Kia Motors America (KMA) is proud to announce it is expanding availability of its fully charged urban runabout into four new states:  New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maryland.  KMA’s announcement will bring the total number of states selling the Soul EV to 10.  Nineteen Kia dealers will be certified to sell and service the Soul EV across these four states, and customers will have access to charging stations installed at these facilities.  The Soul EV will be sold in eight New York dealerships, six New Jersey dealerships, three Maryland dealerships, and two Connecticut dealerships.

“Kia’s sales strategy for the Soul EV has been progressive and pragmatic since its launch late last year,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA.  “California consumers created a high level of demand, and the state’s large infrastructure made it a natural place to start.  Between consumer reaction to the Soul EV and growing infrastructure programs in states such as these in the Northeast, this is a logical – and exciting – next step in our rollout plan.”

Soul EV sales in the Northeast will begin in the fourth quarter.  Soul EV owners will easily be able to locate the numerous charging stations using the standard UVO EV Services telematics system.  Available at no cost for the first five years of ownership, UVO EV Services utilizes an embedded connectivity solution powered by the Verizon® network and an integral smartphone app to provide Soul EV owners with an innovative, real-time, in-vehicle connectivity experience that includes navigation and a host of added convenience features.

Offered in two trims, Base and + (Plus), the 2016 Soul EV MSRP is \\$33,950 (not including federal tax rebate of \\$7,500) for the Base and \\$35,950 (not including federal tax rebate of \\$7,500) for the Plus.  A lease price of \\$249/month for the Soul EV Base is also available.

About the 2016 Soul EV
As the centerpiece of the Kia’s ‘Clean Mobility’ efforts, the Soul EV is the embodiment of the brand’s environmentally focused mission, transforming the hip urban crossover into Kia’s first mass-market, all-electric zero emissions vehicle to be sold in the U.S.  Combining the iconic design of the Soul with advanced eco-friendly technology has landed the Soul EV in a class all its own. Honored with an industry-first automotive environmental validation by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for its innovative use of bio-based materials, the Soul EV also has an EPA estimated range rating of 93 miles with an MPGe of 92 miles highway and 120 miles city for a combined fuel economy of 105 miles.