Ahead of the launch of the Kia EV9 later this year, engineers developing the new model traveled to Arjeplog in Sweden to test the battery and charging performance of the e-SUV as well as the traction control system on snow and ice.
“It’s a myth that EVs aren’t good to drive in the snow. With the Kia EV9, we’ve proved that we have the technology to overcome charging speed challenges in cold-weather conditions, as well as the ride and handling improvements to make an EV safe and even fun to drive in the snow,” said Gunther Frank, general manager development project operations at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMETC).
The auto maker noted that its battery conditioning technology, introduced in the EV6, and its EV Route Planner feature, which is brand-new, work in harmony to provide the most efficient operating conditions. EV Route Planner automatically programs charging points into routes when required. The two features can work together to pre-heat the battery in cold conditions when a high-speed charging point is nearby.
Part of the winter testing for EV9 has involved engineers tuning the chassis and handling to achieve the right mix of safety, smooth handling, responsiveness and ‘fun’ driving feel, according to the company.
