Kia has highlighted a range of EV-focused, ADAS, and efficiency technologies jointly designed to enhance the driving experience of the EV3, an all-new crossover that represents the latest addition to its EV line-up. Through these technologies, Kia is ultimately aiming to encourage EV adoption, with a particular focus on reducing concerns among consumers transitioning from an ICE vehicle to an EV.
Regenerative braking was highlighted as a key part of the EV3’s technology offering, powering two of its key systems: the upgraded i-Pedal 3.0 and the Hyundai Motor Group’s new Smart Regenerative System 3.0. Together, Kia says these systems deliver on the concept of one-pedal driving while enhancing the EV3’s overall efficiency.
i-Pedal 3.0, for example, separates the level of regenerative braking from the full stopping control function while also allowing one-pedal driving to be used across all regenerative braking modes. The upgraded system can also be configured for use when reversing and will memorize the user’s selected level of regenerative braking when the vehicle has been turned off. i-Pedal 3.0 offers four levels of regenerative braking (rated from 0 to 3) which the user selects using the EV3’s steering wheel paddles before activating their chosen level by pulling the left-hand paddle towards them. Level 3 is intended for use in heavy traffic, where users may need to slow the EV3 more quickly, while Level 1 conversely targets long motorway journeys – allowing the EV to ‘glide’ as the user lifts off the accelerator. At Level 0, i-Pedal helps the EV to coast fully, offering a similar rate of deceleration to Level 1 when driving at lower speeds. Across all levels, Kia has optimized the functionality of i-Pedal to help enable more linear calibration and facilitate a more seamless driving experience.
Making its debut on the EV3, the Hyundai Motor Group’s new Smart Regenerative System 3.0 extends the scope of the vehicle’s regenerative braking capabilities while also enabling new assisted driving capabilities. Here, it acts as a ‘digital co-pilot’ that closely monitors the road ahead in order to quickly respond to a range of driving scenarios. Engaged by holding the right-hand steering wheel paddle for more than a second, the system carries out these operations by combining semi-autonomous driving and regenerative braking technologies. When activated, and as the driver releases the accelerator, it utilizes the EV3’s sensors, navigation info, and GPS to detect its distance to the vehicle ahead of it and, if necessary, can automatically decelerate to a safe speed. The ‘3.0’ version of this technology offers new capabilities based on its use of navigation-based data, automatically slowing down to an appropriate speed when detecting conditions such as a tight turn, a signposted speed limit decrease, speed bump, or a roundabout to increase efficiency and safety. If needed, the Smart Regenerative System 3.0 can also bring the EV3 to a complete stop.
Beyond the capabilities enabled by its regenerative braking system, Kia also detailed the EV3’s various EV and efficiency technologies – including those enabling its 372-mile (600 km) range. This was facilitated by a large, 81.4 kWh fourth-generation battery unit that additionally provides the EV3 with an energy density increase of 22% compared to Kia’s Niro EV, which was built on the same 400V architecture. On the long-range version of the EV3, this battery can be charged from 10 to 80% in approximately 31 minutes when using 350 kW DC fast charging.
In aiming to help drivers maximize the full potential of this battery, the EV3 offers a dedicated Driving Range Guide. Located in the instrument cluster, it displays the maximum and minimum driving ranges achievable, based on the user’s driving style, and the estimated range based on historical driving efficiency data. When the EV3 is being driven efficiently, a green gauge on the instrument cluster fills towards the maximum range mark, with the same gauge turning orange and displaying a reduced potential driving range if the vehicle is not being driven efficiently. Further technologies working to drive the EV3’s efficiency include a simultaneous heat absorption system that recycles heat from both inside and outside the vehicle, an advanced heat pump to protect battery performance and accelerate charging in colder climates, and a liquid cooling system inside the battery that optimizes the battery’s thermal management while enhancing charging speeds.
While the new EV3 is currently rolling out globally, having recently launched in South Korea and the UK, it is expected to reach the U.S. in early 2025. At the same time, Kia is also looking to position the EV3 as a more affordable electric model – starting at £32,995 ($42,300) in the UK – with the OEM indicating that it could be sold for less than $30,000 (£23,007) in the region, with incentives applied. Following its global rollout, Kia plans to expand the EV3 line-up further, which today consists of two FWD models, by adding an all-wheel drive variant and a GT model to provide its customers with a broader range of choice for its electric vehicles overall.
