Kia Canada recently held an “Electrifying Performance” by award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter Fefe Dobson with the help of its recently unveiled 2022 EV6 electric vehicle. Performing her new single in public for the first time, Dobson entertained those in attendance from a small stage at the Kortright Centre. Beside the stage, a sleek black pre-production prototype was powering the amplifier of bandmate Ryan Chalmers’ electric guitar. After the set was completed, Kia Canada Inc. Chief Operating Officer Elias El-Achhab announced that the performance used less than one per cent of the vehicle’s charge.
In addition to storing and supplying energy to power the vehicle’s motor and electronics, EV batteries can also be used to charge a variety of devices using a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, so it can act as a mobile generator. Similar to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology that allows stored energy from a vehicle’s battery to return to the grid, V2L can be a helpful feature by charging or powering various devices for work or play.
More than simply charging a smartphone, an EV with V2L technology could assist in charging an electric bike or laptop computer, even operating an electric cooler, small fridge or tools on a job site without the noise and pollution of a gas- or diesel-powered generator. Or, as Dobson helped demonstrate, a live concert. Think of it as a large power bank or a charger on wheels. Given its ability to supply 3.6 kW of power, it would not be an efficient way to charge the battery of another electric vehicle.
When looking to purchase an electric vehicle, drivers often (understandably) focus on driving range and charging times, along with the realistic associated costs and logistics required. Battery storage and charging technology have continued to evolve, so as battery density improves and storage increases, range anxiety becomes less of a concern. The 2022 Kia EV6 is estimated to be capable of up to 480 kilometres of range on a single charge. Even more impressive is that its 800V charging capacity allows it to go from 10 per cent battery level to 80 per cent in only 18 minutes.
Other new models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford F-150 Lightning will also feature bidirectional charging technology, which will allow them to supply power through outlets located inside and outside the vehicle.
Available in Canadian retailers during the first quarter of 2022, the new EV6 is built on Kia’s new electric-global modular platform (E-GMP). The slim batteries are located beneath the floor of the passenger compartment which allows for diverse applications and interior layouts. It is also the first vehicle to wear the company’s sleek new logo as it adopts an “Opposites United” mantra in building mobility products.
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