Kia Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

    Kia Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

    Types & Differences Explained

    Kia Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

    Kia Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

    Types & Differences Explained

    Kia Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

    Kia Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

    Types & Differences Explained

    Kia Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

    Kia Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

    Types & Differences Explained

    What are the Differences in Kia's Electric & Hybrid Range

    It's easy to feel bombarded by all the automotive acronyms and seemingly pointless marketing lingo for basic car technology, especially in today's fast-changing landscape of electric and hybrid vehicles.

    Understanding the terms for different types of powertrain technology can help you make a better-informed choice for your next car purchase.

    Each type offers unique advantages and thrive in particular environments - however, they also come with specific challenges.

    Learn the distinctions between these vehicle types and learn how to navigate the world of EVs.

    Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV)

    Starting with trusty internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) - these are your conventional vehicles powered solely by an internal combustion engine that burns petrol or diesel fuel. They do not have any electric motors or battery packs and rely entirely on the internal combustion engine for propulsion.

    ICEVs have been the dominant type of vehicle for over a century and are widely available with existing infrastructure embedded into our daily lives. On the flipside, ICEVs produce greenhouse gas emissions and are generally less fuel-efficient than EVs.

    Kia models that are exclusively ICEVs include Picanto, Cerato, Stonic and Seltos.

    Electric Vehicle (EV)

    An electric vehicle (EV) is a broad classification for any vehicle that uses electric motors for propulsion, either partially or fully. EVs derive all or part of their power from electricity supplied by batteries (or fuel cells).

    EVs can be broken down into different types, including:

    • Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
    • Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
    • Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
    • Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV)
    • Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)

    EVs offer reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower operating costs, and improved energy efficiency compared to ICEVs. However, they currently have higher upfront costs and limited driving range.

    Home charging is preferred by EV owners, but significant development and investment are needed to enhance public charging infrastructure in Australia.

    Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

    Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are fully powered by rechargeable battery packs and electric motors. They have no internal combustion engine therefore they produce zero direct emissions while recharging their batteries occurs via plugging into an external power source.

    BEVs typically have a limited driving range, usually somewhere between 250-500 kilometres on a single charge, depending on the battery size and vehicle efficiency, however, driving range figures are rapidly increasing as the investment and development in battery technology continues to grow.

    BEVs are well-suited for urban and suburban driving but may face challenges for long-distance travel due to the need for frequent recharging with underdeveloped infrastructure.

    Kia BEV models include EV6, EV9, Niro EV and the upcoming EV5.

    Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

    Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine a petrol or diesel internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery pack. 

    HEVs cannot be plugged into an external power source to recharge the battery. Instead, they rely on the internal combustion engine and regenerative braking to maintain the battery's charge.

    The overall premise of a hybrid system is essentially to "close the loop" to utilise as much of the potential energy stored in the fuel as possible. 

    HEVs offer improved fuel efficiency compared to conventional ICEVs but still produce emissions from their internal combustion engines. They are designed to optimize the use of the electric motor for low-speed driving and the internal combustion engine for highway driving.

    After several decades in production, HEV prices have dropped so, while still asking for a premium in contrast to conventional ICEVs, current HEVs are priced quite competitively.

    Kia HEV models include Sportage Hybrid, Sorento Hybrid, Niro Hybrid and Carnival Hybrid.

    Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

    Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combine features of both BEVs and HEVs. They have a larger battery pack that can be recharged by plugging into an external power source, as well as an internal combustion engine and regenerative braking system.

    PHEVs can operate in all-electric mode for short distances (typically 30-80 kilometres) while, for longer trips, the internal combustion engine can be utilised. This allows PHEVs to achieve higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions compared to conventional HEVs, especially for urban driving.

    PHEVs are an ideal choice for Australians living in the densely populated capital cities. The distance of an Australian's daily round-trip commute (which, on average, is less than fifty kilometres) can be driven on pure battery power. On the flipside, range anxiety is non-existent with the ICE able to handle the vast distances that can be covered during weekend trips and holidays.

    Kia PHEV models include the Sorento PHEV.

    What to Consider When Buying Your First Electric Vehicle Image

    What to Consider When Buying Your First Electric Vehicle

    When considering the purchase of your first electric vehicle, answer these questions to help determine the right model for your needs, lifestyle and budget.

    Got Questions?

    If you're looking to learn more about electric and hybrid vehicles, get in touch with the Motorama Kia team today.

    We're dedicated to helping you make the right decision on your next car purchase.

    Get in Touch

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