Kia EV4 hits 390km of range in the freezing cold

The Kia EV4 has showcased its prowess at the El Prix Winter Test Drive, one of the world's most demanding electric vehicle tests.

Equipped with an 81.4kWh battery and 19-inch wheels, the European-spec Earth variant hit a distance of 390km in brutal winter conditions, achieving over 65% of its rated figure (WLTP range of 594km for the Earth variant) and placing it in the top five performers of the participants for both achieved range and WLTP deviation.

The EV4 Earth trim hit a distance of 390km under brutal winter conditions

And while previous tests rarely saw temperatures below -10°C, this year's El Prix is the coldest to date, with temperatures between -20°C and -31°C. This did not deter the EV4 much though, owing much of its performance to its Gen4 battery system, which features advanced thermal management and optimised coolant distribution to ensure consistent performance even under extreme loads and cold temperatures.

In addition to range, charging time plays a crucial role in long-distance capability in winter temperatures. And in this aspect, the Kia EV4 charged from 10-80% in 33 minutes, just two minutes above the normal figure. This is also boosted by its E-GMP 400V system, which is designed to enable efficient charging cycles even at low temperatures.