The 2019 Kia Niro EV Electric Range Is Well Over 400 Kilometres

Specific details regarding the Kia Niro EV's range won't be fully known until the 2019 Niro EV makes its world debut in Paris this fall; perhaps not until the Niro makes its way to Canadian dealers early next year.

But early testing suggests that the Niro EV may well put an end to the range anxiety that has afflicted many electric vehicles to date. According to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure used by earlier examiners of the Niro EV, this world-changing small crossover could have a range of 484 kilometres, though more conservative 385-kilometre and 246-kilometre ranges have been stated in the early going, depending on battery selection.

Better yet, the same WLTP testing suggests that the 2019 Niro EV will easily exceed that 484-kilometre rating in urban settings, where the Kia is able to take greater advantage of regenerative braking. The result: 615 KMs of city range on a single charge, according to The Drive.

Tested recently in Korea by PostMedia's Graeme Fletcher for Driving.ca, the Niro EV's onboard computer revealed a starting range of 445 kilometres. Yet after a 101-kilometre run, the Niro EV revealed remaining range of 363 kilometres. That means the Niro EV used only 82 KMs of range to cover 101 KMs of terrain, and that was on a higher-speed route with little regenerative braking.

Though heavier than a conventional Niro hybrid (already Canada's most fuel efficient crossover) due to extra body weight, Fletcher says the Niro EV handles nimbly because the battery weight sits low in the structure, bringing the Niro's centre of gravity down. The Niro also loses very little to the conventional Niro in terms of luggage capacity: the cargo area goes from 635 litres to 629, an insignificant loss. Finally, with 291 lb-ft of torque from the 64 kWh lithium-ion battery, the Niro is swift, as well, accelerating from from nought to 100 km/h in under 8 seconds and surging from 80 to 120 in less than 6 seconds.

This is the future.