12/05/2022
There’s no denying that the electric vehicle movement is, well, on the move here in the Philippines and one of the more recent arrivals is the new Kia EV6.
Not only is it the much-awaited all-electric crossover from the company, but the EV6 has also been proving itself garnering awards and recognition for its performance and technology.
While there is a large market willing to join the new electric vehicle revolution, it isn’t uncommon, though, to encounter hesitation from other drivers.
And unsurprisingly, a lot of these drivers share the same concerns.
The first and most common myth or misconception is the long and inconvenient charging times of EVs.
It should be noted that the charging time of an electric vehicle considers many factors. Much like smartphones, there are many types of chargers — both fast and slow.
Slow chargers will take about 10 hours to fully charge an electric vehicle which makes it a perfect option for overnight charging.
Faster chargers are also available including a 7kW AC charger or 11kW AC charger which can top up the Kia EV6 in just 50 and 90 minutes respectively.
Charging stations, on the other hand, are able to supply even faster charging times with a full battery achievable in just 18-70 minutes depending on the type of charger.
Another concern drivers have that inhibits them from adopting EVs is the supposed lack of charging stations.
Interestingly, private institutions like Ayala Land have already begun the roll-out of fast-charging stations to their properties. The company says they will be offering 22-kW and 60kW fast chargers that take as little as 2 hours to charge a vehicle.
Just recently, a new network of public EV charging stations was also launched and is aiming to install more than 100 EV chargers nationwide by the end of 2023.
Now over the last few years, we’ve been used to our small devices and the constant charges that these need and most bring this thinking to electric vehicles as well.
Unlike your everyday device, an EV will normally have more than enough juice to get you where you need to go. The Kia EV6 offers up to 500km on a single charge which, when applied to city driving, is definitely more than enough for a whole day’s use. Maybe even enough for a quick out-of-town drive and back.
And again, with more EV charging stations popping up left and right, you won’t even think of topping up until you get to your destination.
And last, but definitely not east, a major concern for most is the high cost of maintenance of an electric vehicle.
According to Kia, however, EVs are more affordable to maintain. With the EV6, you won’t need to bother yourself with engine oils, transmission fluids, and other such needs of a traditional petrol vehicle.
Kia also says that the EV6 will only need to replace brake pads, brake fluids, and wiper blades in the next five years.
But most obviously, you’ll save the most in fuel costs. For perspective, Kia says the EV6 is able to run its 500kms for just PhP 800 when charged at home.
Additionally, apart from busting all the usual EV myths, the Kia EV6 also addresses safety concerns. The recipient of the European Car of the Year 2022 Award and a 5-Star Euro NCAP rating, the Kia EV6 offers all the modern safety conveniences of today including Auto Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic collision-avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, and more.
To ensure the longevity of its battery, Kia also has a Battery Management System that encloses its lithium-ion battery cells in water-resistant casings.
In the event of water intrusion, a water-sensing system will automatically shut down the EV system if exposure is beyond safety standards.
The Kia EV6 is slated to land on Philippine shores by the first quarter of 2023 with a reported retail price of under PhP 4 million.
