Soul

The KIA Soul or e-Soul is one of the early electric cars with a range of over 200 km, which was very good when the cars appeared in the autumn of 2014.

Used cars without a safety net

Posted 04/02/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

If you are going to buy an older electric car, it is of great importance to know how much the batteries have lost. If you are unlucky, you can end up with the "cat in the bag" without being successful in some instances. No one is required to disclose the health of the batteries. You have to find out for yourself.

Much to gain from checking battery health

When the first electric cars arrived, many were skeptical about the lifespan of the batteries. Therefore, an extended warranty was given. Everyone knows that batteries lose weight over time, but no one can predict exactly how much. By comparing 8-10 year old cars of the same model and year, you see clear variations. As the batteries gradually wear down over several years, it can be easy to forget to check the batteries before the warranty expires. And for those of you who are looking for a good electric car from an older vintage: Of course you should check the battery's health before signing a contract!

Let's go back to 2015

Then ordinary people could buy full-fledged electric cars - cars that could be used on longer journeys and that looked like real cars. The Nissan Leaf was already well established when it was joined by the Volkswagen e-Golf, BMW i3 and KIA Soul. Today, 8 years later, we can state that the cars have withstood the test of time well, both technically and visually. They are good options for first-time buyers and as the family's number 2 or 3 car.

KIA Soul EV

Watch out for bullshit!

It was a breath of fresh air on the electric car market with its tough, youthful design and – for its time – "large" battery pack with more capacity than the competition. Net 27 kwh and 30,5 kwh gross. From 2018, the net capacity increased to 30 kwh. KIA gave a 7-year guarantee of at least 70% battery capacity. Several owners have reported large capacity losses, so if you own a KIA Soul, you should check the batteries before the warranty expires. The remaining capacity can be read via the car's OBD2 connector, or have it checked at any workshop.

Prices

The 2015 KIA Soul is offered today for between NOK 80-120. Stated range is 000 km (NEDC).

Find battery health

The remaining battery capacity can be easily read via the OBD2 connector which you will find under the cover on the lower left of the dashboard. An OBD2 dongle costs only a few hundred Swedish kroner and can be purchased online. Make sure it supports the CAN protocol and fits your phone (Android or Iphone). With the dongle in the socket, you can connect via Bluetooth with apps such as "SoulSpy" or "Torque". Go to "Vehicle" data. The field is called SOH (State of Health) and shows the remaining battery capacity in percentage.

If the seller is a car dealer with a workshop, ask them to check the SOH, regardless of whether the seller tries to convince you that it is not right or necessary. It only takes 5 minutes. If you are going to buy from a private person, it is not as easy to fumble with an OBD2 dongle and app, if you cannot do it together with the seller. If you cannot read the status, you must try to calculate the range based on remaining km and remaining charge. It is the only basis for documenting that the batteries are relatively intact. You have to trust the numbers - not what the salesperson tells you.

Sales picture. 49km over 13/18 dashes reveals either an uneconomical driving style or a bad battery. As a buyer, you must assume that it is the latter.

Nissan Leaf

Battery capacity and condition (dotted line at outer edge)

Ordinary people's turn!

In contrast to today's government, Nissan understood early on what this term meant, when they were the first car manufacturer to make full-fledged electric cars for most people. The Nissan Leaf has proven to last for many years and is a very safe used car purchase. On cars between 2013 and 2015, the battery pack is 22 kwh net - 24 kwh gross. with a stated range of 199 km (NEDC). From 2016, the Leaf could be delivered with batteries of 28 kwh net - 30 kwh gross. Nissan only gave a 5 year/100 km warranty on the first battery packs. Extended warranty of 000 years 8% was introduced for battery packs from 70 kwh and above.

Prices

The 2014 Nissan Leaf is offered for between NOK 70-90 (source: Finn.no), and 000 models for between NOK 2015-60. I would strongly recommend ditching these early models and going for a 120 or 000 model year with 2016 kwh batteries. There are cars at the same price as the ones mentioned above (from NOK 2017-30) - perhaps with higher mileage and not as pretty - but still a better buy due to better range and battery warranty.

Find battery health

Nissan has an exemplary system for showing the remaining battery capacity on the instruments. On the scale above the charge, the remaining battery capacity is shown in the outermost arc. 12 lines mean that the battery's capacity is between 100% and 85%. At 9 bars, the battery is below 70%. Nissan's warranty is triggered if the number of dashes falls below 10 during the warranty period.

BMW i3

The BNW i3 is also usable with a short range

The design and choice of materials place the BMW i3 in a class above the KIA Soul and Nissan Leaf. In terms of size, it is smaller than the other two with 4 seats and 3 side doors. Original battery capacity was 18,8 kwh net - 21,6 kwh gross. From model year 2017, the BMW i3 had its battery capacity increased to 27,2 kwh net - 33,0 kwh gross. BMW's battery warranty is 8 years for at least 70% remaining capacity.

Prices

BMW is also in a different class in terms of price. Both model year 2014 and 2015 are in a price range just below NOK 100 to 000 (source: Finn.no). Be aware that the BMWs are also more expensive to maintain. According to the manufacturer, the batteries in the i140 should not be damaged by being constantly fully charged with the charger connected. The remaining battery capacity can be checked from the dashboard.

Find battery health

There is a service function via the dashboard where you can read the remaining battery capacity. The video clip below shows this in an excellent way. The trick is that you must first retrieve the car's ID number, add up the last 5 digits and use this sum as an access code to unlock the service function. Information about the remaining battery capacity in kWh can be found under "Tank/Battery". It must be net capacity that is displayed.

If you are in a position to buy, it might be nice to have done the test on another i3 before you approach the seller. Is the seller private, maybe you can do it together? If you buy from a brand dealer, they will know the function - and maybe talk you out of checking. Anyway, since the function exists and can be performed without doing any physical intervention, you should verify the number.

Markus Klemm – How to Find Your BMW i3 Battery Capacity

Volkswagen e Up!

Sales picture showing good range in summer conditions.

The little brother of e-Golf

10 years ago, several car manufacturers planned to offer electric cars as variants of regular production models. The Volkswagen e-Golf and e-Up were electric variants of fossil car models. The E-Golf appears to be a class above the Nissan Leaf and KIA Soul. The net battery capacity was 20,5 kwh - 24.2 kwh gross - until 2017 when the e-Golf had its battery capacity increased to 32,0 kwh net - 35,8 kwh gross. Instead of the very earliest year models of the e-Golf, I recommend the Volkswagen e-Up, which is a 4-seater with roughly the same size and range as the BMW i3. The cars are produced in Bratislava and maintain good quality. Early editions of the e-Up had a battery capacity of 16,8 kwh net (18,7 kwh gross). Being a smaller and simpler car, it could be cheaper to maintain than the e-Golf and in a format better suited to short ranges. Volkswagen's battery warranty is 8 years for at least 70% capacity. Normal range is just over 100 km in winter and 130-140 km in summer.

For model year 2015, prices are NOK 60-90.

Find battery health

The Volkswagen e-Up has an OBD2 connector, but I don't know what measurements and calculations need to be done to arrive at the remaining battery capacity - if it is even possible? The Austrian company Aviloo offers a solution where you plug a device into the OBD2 connector, charge to 100%, drive down to 10%, charge fully again and return the box for analysis. This is not something that can be done in one fell swoop.

If you are in a buying position, you are dependent on trusting what the instruments tell you about the remaining charge and km estimated on the basis of previous driving. E-up does well 100 km on winter roads. Many sellers fail to show this in the pictures or can show an acceptable range when viewing. If the instruments show a poor range, it may be due to uneconomical driving or a bad battery. As a buyer, you must assume the latter.

Bad battery gives "Cat-in-the-bag"

When buying, you can never trust the seller's information about the actual range. These figures depend on so many different factors that they cannot be verified. Before you buy an older electric car with a – by today's standards – small battery pack, you should make sure that it can deliver usable power for a few more years. To put it bluntly, you could risk ending up with a car with an actual range of 50 km without the possibility of canceling the purchase – without a safety net. The car works – the batteries have died – that's normal. Had the seller promised you something else? Enjoy the leather seats and premium music system!

"The last idiot has not yet been born"

If the seller cannot provide figures showing remaining battery capacity, he or she must at least be able to show a decent estimated range based on previous driving. Unfortunately, many retailers seem to hold their cards close to their chests. Of course, they know the condition of the battery, but try to focus on other, superficial subtleties. I have browsed hundreds of ads, and am amazed to see dealer ads that neither tell about the real range nor the condition of the batteries.

Battery capacity based on charge

One test you can do yourself to test the battery's capacity is to compare what the charging station has delivered in terms of power to what the car says it has received. For example, if you charge from 10% to 60% on a 30 kWh net battery, the charging station should have given you 15 kWh plus what has disappeared in charging losses. If you charge from a wallbox with a T2 cable, as much as 5-10% can disappear on the road in the form of heat. Since we do not know the exact charging losses, this method can never be very accurate, but carried out over a longer period of time – on the same car and wall charger – it can reveal a pattern.

Battery health – the most important characteristic of used electric cars

Battery health is undoubtedly a 2015 model year's most important characteristic, both because of the cars' market value and the fact that lost range can make the car almost useless. Car buyers without technical insight into electric cars can easily end up with the "cat in the bag" without the opportunity to advertise. It is a fact that all batteries deteriorate over time, but not everyone realizes how much. Based on a search among 7 and 8 year old Nissan Leafs, I find that normal annual battery loss is between 1,7 - 2,5%. When I look at cars that are 9-10 years old, the variations are greater. One in three cars has had a greater average loss than 3% per year. Do batteries lose more weight as they age? Was the quality of 2012-2013 model year cars worse than 2014-2015?

Factors affecting battery health

High number of charges due to high mileage.
The batteries have been fully charged for a long time.
Extensive use of fast charging.
The batteries have been exposed to heat, for example during highway driving and fast charging in hot weather. The cars in the review have primitive systems for regulating the temperature of the batteries.
The car has been parked outdoors in cold areas.
The batteries have run out of power.
Manufacturing defects or damage to battery cells.

Shouldn't battery health be as mandatory as mileage when selling used electric cars?

See

Buying a used car without technical knowledge

Do electric cars lose more in value?

Posted 14/12/2019 by Terje Bjørnstad

One of our readers commented the following:

- Every time I see a Tesla on the road, I point at it and say "there's a man driving there who has spent NOK 600.000 on a car that won't be worth NOK 30.000 even in 5 years" (ElBilTøys).

Do electric cars fall more in price than other cars?

I have looked at 2015 models and compared the loss in value of electric cars against similarly equipped petrol and diesel cars. I can reveal that our reader was wrong. Five-year-old Teslas actually hold up very well in price. Even smaller electric cars hold their value well. Astonishing - almost bordering on incomprehensible - considering that some of them belong to the "stone age of electric cars". Electric cars with a short range - without fast charging - would be unsellable as new cars today.

2015 Tesla Model S

I the calendar year In 2015, Tesla sold 4039 cars – of which 3712 were equipped with four-wheel drive. I have selected the Model S 85D with two engines and four-wheel drive (though not Performance and not 7-seater). Range and performance are still top class. Continuous upgrades of software and technology ensure that the cars on sale today have kept pace with developments. The only thing that reveals the car's age is the front, which carries the contours of the grill the model had before the facelift the following year.

In retrospect, you can probably say that it was one of the smartest car purchases. But before we draw any conclusions, we need to have something to compare it with - something that runs on petrol or diesel and costs about the same. As you know, Tesla has never made gasoline-powered cars.

What would Tesla customers have bought if they couldn't buy an electric car?

Probably something far cheaper. Omission of one-off tax and VAT meant that the beautiful Teslas cost about half of similarly equipped petrol and diesel cars. It made many people stretch their budgets. I choose to point out the Lexus 300 NX Luxury (non-chargeable hybrid) and the BMW 520d xDrive Touring (diesel) as alternative cars. Both are typical family cars with four-wheel drive, and which cost the same as the Tesla Model S in 2015.

Model	Km	Sale price new	Sale price now	Loss of value - per year	- % per year	Number of cars
Tesla S 85D 4WD	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	670 000 670 000 670 000	490 000 439 000 447 000	40 000 51 300 49 600	6,0 % 7,7 % 7,4 %	4 25 29
Lexus 300 NX Luxury	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	679 000 679 000 679 000	436 000 375 000 412 000	54 000 67 500 59 300>	8,0 % 10,0 % 8,7 %	3 2 5
Lexus 300 NX Business	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	560 000 560 000 560 000	355 000 316 000 334 000	45 500 54 200 50 200	8,1 % 9,7 % 9,0 %	2 2 5
BMW 520 xDrive 190HK Touring	50′-99 ′	596 000	363 000	51 700	8,7 %	9

The loss in value on the Tesla is less than for the models we use as a reference. But remember that even if the percentage loss in value is low, it is about a respectable NOK 50 per year - or perhaps NOK 000 per month.

2015 Volkswagen Polo

In 2015, it was the first version of the e-Golf that applied. It has a battery pack of 21,5 KWH and a practical range of 10-12 miles. If you drive economically under favorable conditions, the range can be increased to a maximum of 16 miles. Compared to today's electric cars, the e-Golf number 1 is best suited as car number 2. With quick charging (CCS) it is a no-brainer to charge during a long drive.

No price drop yet – but it's coming.

Volkswagen is currently selling off its remaining stock of e-Golf. The 2019 models received a sharp price reduction overnight. Prices on the second-hand market have not yet adjusted to the new price level. Today, used e-Golfs are for sale in car dealerships at prices far above what new, well-equipped cars cost. Several will probably have to be sold at a loss. Of all Golf's 2015 models, the e-Golf appears to be the most favorable choice in terms of depreciation – closely followed by the plug-in hybrid Golf GTE.

Model	Km	Sale price new	Sale price now	Loss of value - per year	- % per year	Number of cars
Volkswagen e-Golf	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	254 000 254 000 254 000	154 000 149 000 150 000	22 200 23 300 22 900	8,7 % 9,2 % 9,0 %	17 45 62
Volkswagen Golf GTE	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	332 000 332 000 332 000	193 000 176 000 181 000	28 600 32 600 31 300	8,6 % 9,8 % 9,4 %	11 22 33
Volkswagen Golf 1,2 TSI 85HK Trend	50′-99 ′	250 000	131 000	26 400	10,6 %	3
Volkswagen Golf 1,2 TSI 110HP Highline	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	290 000 290 000 290 000	165 000 148 000 154 000	27 700 31 500 30 200	9,5 % 10,9 % 10,4 %	3 6 9
Volkswagen Golf 1,6 TDI 110HK Highline	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	300 000 300 000 300 000	154 000 152 000 153 000	32 400 32 900 32 700	10,8 % 11,0 % 10,9 %	3 2 5

So you have to put NOK 150 on the table for a 000 model with yesterday's range. If you add another 2015, you can get it upgraded The e-Golf with a longer range. Remember, the time has come to haggle.

2015 KIA Soul Electric

The KIA Soul costs the same as the e-Golf. The KIA's advantage is that it has a longer range than the e-Golf. For the 2015 models, the difference is approximately 4-5 mil. This means a lot in daily use, especially if you depend on external charging. The KIA can also be fast-charged (CHAdeMO).

It is difficult to find any KIA Soul that runs on petrol or diesel. I only found one petrol car and one diesel car for sale with the same level of equipment. It seems that the sellers of the mentioned cars have chosen the same prices as the Soul Electric. Thus, we cannot draw any conclusion. But the KIA Soul Electric undoubtedly has a very low loss in value regardless of which brand we compare it to.

Model	Km	Sale price new	Sale price now	Loss of value - per year	- % per year	Number of cars
Kia Soul EV Exclusive	50′-99 ′	236 000	145 000	20 200	8,6 %	20
Kia Soul 1,6 GDI Comfort	50′-99 ′	300 000	158 000	23 700	8,9 %	1
Kia Soul 1,6 CRDI Comfort	50′-99 ′	300 000	158 000	23 700	8,9 %	1

2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric

The battery-powered B-Class model was supplied with a 28 KWH battery pack as standard, but could also be supplied with the Range Plus – an extended 32 KWH battery pack. The latter increased the range by approximately 3 miles. In the price comparison, 15 out of 24 cars were equipped with the extended battery pack, without this having any noticeable effect on used car prices. I have therefore assessed both battery packs together. The standard range is like the KIA Soul, - i.e. 4-5 miles more than the e-Golf. The biggest objection to Mercedes-Benz's electric car is that it cannot be fast-charged.

Model	Km	Sale price new	Sale price now	Loss of value - per year	- % per year	Number of cars
Mercedes-Benz B Electric	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	300 000 300 000 300 000	168 000 149 000 159 000	29 300 33 500 31 300	9,4 % 11,2 % 10,4 %	12 12 24
Mercedes Benz B180	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	323 000 323 000 323 000	227 000 186 000 202 000	21 300 30 400 26 900	6,6 % 9,4 % 8,3 %	2 3 5
Mercedes-Benz B180 CDI	50′-99 ′	321 000	239 000	20 800	6,5 %	2

The B-class Electric is the only example in our comparison where the electric cars fall more than petrol and diesel-powered cars. That the percentage loss in value is greater than other electric cars may be due to the fact that the price of the B-class Electric fell from 323 to 000 the following year.

Mercedes-Benz's electric car accounted for 4 percent of electric car sales in 2015. The model offers good performance and range for its time, - and more interior space and luggage compartment than its competitors e-Golf, KIA Soul and Nissan Leaf. Nevertheless, the 2015 model does not appear to be as successful as the aforementioned competitors. One of the reasons is that Daimler AG chose to drop fast charging. Another reason could be that many owners had operational problems with their cars. A third reason could also be that importers/dealers were poorly prepared for the technology.

2015 Ford Focus Electric

I am not sure if a sample of only two electric cars can be called representative. In that case, the loss in value on the Focus Electric is surprisingly low. The American-built electric car was not a great success and appears to be the most outdated of all the models in this overview. Real range is a thought lower than the first generation of e-Golf. Worse, fast charging is not possible. Short range without fast charging is an unfortunate combination. But the Focus's with the new grill actually look far more modern than the other Focus models of the time.

Model	Km	Sale price new	Sale price now	Loss of value - per year	- % per year	Number of cars
Ford Focus Electric	0-49 ′	199 000	120 000	17 600	8,8 %	2
Ford Focus 1,0 Ecoboost 125HK	0-49 ′	269 000	173 000	21 300	7,9 %	11
Ford Focus 1,6/1,5 TDCi	0-49 ′	284 000	160 000	27 500	9,7 %	6

My favorite 2015 Ford Focus is the 1,5 TDCi 120 HP which replaced the 1,6 TDCi 115 HP towards the end of the model year.

2015 Volkswagen e-Up!

Finally, a model that is smaller than the other models, but has the highest percentage loss in value. The loss in value in kroner is almost the same as electric cars in the Golf class. But the loss in value for e-Up! is still lower than corresponding petrol cars.

Model	Km	Sale price new	Sale price now	Loss of value - per year	- % per year	Number of cars
Volkswagen e Up!	0-49 ′ 50′-99 ′ 0-99 ′	191 000 191 000 191 000	108 000 94 000 101 000	18 400 21 600 20 000	9,6 % 11,3 % 10,5%>	4 4 8
Volkswagen Up! 1,0 60HP High	0-99 ′	159 000	90 000	20 000	12,6 %	8

Conclusion

If your trade-in car is a 2015 model electric car, you do not need to worry about the trade-in price. Electric cars do not lose more in value than equivalent petrol and diesel cars. Teslas from 2015 have range and performance fully on par with the best you can get today. What surprises me a little is that cars with outdated technology can also holds value well. If you are looking for an aging e-Golf or KIA Soul, I recommend installing a wall charger at home, taking out insurance that covers damage to the battery pack and enrolling in Electric car association. Then you can drive problem-free for another five years.

Predictions that electric cars will plummet in value have so far not come true.

About the test

The stated sales prices are on-route prices in advertisements on Finn.no minus 5% for haggling. Trade-in price at a dealer can be significantly lower. New car prices are calculated as of November 2015, i.e. after the model year has ended. Source: skatteetaten.no

The loss in value is based on the car's chosen level of equipment - not additional equipment beyond this. Cars with a lot of extra equipment will therefore experience a greater loss in value than the figures here show. My purpose in calculating loss of value is to document how the loss of value on electric car models occurs in relation to other models - not to arrive at the real loss of value for specific cars.

See

Can the electric car benefits finance the electric car?

KIA Soul EV

Posted 26/05/2017 by Terje Bjørnstad

Unobtrusive, practical and functional design.

Everything was "on time and arranged" for the Sunday trip with an electric car. But then I drove away...

My plan was to pick up the KIA in Drammen and drive the old Sørlandske down to the Horten and Omegn Veteranvogn Klubb's car exhibition in Borre. I had calculated a mileage that should be higher than what the first generation e-Golf and Nissan Leaf 24 kwh could manage. That's how we with range anxiety do it when we have to drive an unfamiliar car to an unknown place. We plan down to the last detail. The infotainment system on board shows range check on the map, as well as an overview of available charging stations - but I prefer to check myself. Just in case. Half an hour on the ChaDeMo fast charger gives 0-80% capacity.

But on the way out of Drammen I managed to take the wrong road. I read Kristiansand, but in a thoughtless moment I instead made my way to Kongsberg. If you end up inside the tunnel to Kongsberg, you have to drive 12,5 km all the way to Mjøndalen before you can turn around and drive back – the same way you came. I watched my reach account crumble.

The KIA Soul has a theoretical range of 212 km. I think it said about 200 km when I started. After the involuntary detour, - well into the old Sørland south of Kobbervikdalen, - the dashboard showed a range of just 151 km. That didn't bode well for my range tally. In the irritation of having driven wrong, I had been anything but light on the accelerator.

Modern instruments. Unobtrusive and clear display of consumption and range.

Gamle Sørlandske Hovedvei, - formerly E18, - has retained the speed regulation from when it was the main thoroughfare. That means 70 km/h almost all the way. Ideal for electric cars. I turned off the air conditioning, put the gear lever in "B" for braking energy regeneration and set myself up for economical driving. Keep your attention far ahead on the road, and avoid rapid braking and acceleration. The reward came quite quickly in the form of the range meter dropping less than the actual kilometers covered.

It was Ascension Day and the long weekend. Many had followed the calls on the radio to take the old way. There was still good flow on the road all the way to Holmestrand. There it stopped, just as it did in the old days when "the whole of Norway" passed the small town under the mountain. Without aircon, I didn't lose any electricity. I enjoyed the air of summer and sea through an open window.

Completely intuitive PRND gear lever with separate "B" gear for artificial engine braking.

The Kia Soul also has an artificial engine brake that converts braking energy into electricity. It is not possible to adjust the braking force, but it is not necessary either. It suits my taste perfectly. I ease off the gas a little when the traffic pattern allows. Not so much that the brake lights come on, but enough that I can see that the batteries are being charged. Once you get used to this feature, you can noticeably increase your mileage.

You cruise just fine at 100-110 km/h on the motorway. The KIA Soul is not a sports car. It rolls quite a lot. I like that tall cars are not too stiff. You sit comfortably high, like in a Volkswagen Touran. Sound comfort is good. There is some rumbling from the tyres, a little more than in the Audi A3 e-tron I drove earlier in the day, but not annoying. No high-frequency road noises, only soft rubber against the asphalt. The tires are 205/60R16. The electric motor sound is absent. It makes so little noise that the engineers have added artificial noise when reversing and driving at walking speed. Smart.

Gamle Sørlandske is an alright alternative to the motorway down in Vestfold, especially if you are on a trip. Before Nykirke you have to pay attention, because almost all the signs try to trick you onto the motorway. I continued instead on Hellandveien and later Nykirkeveien. These are very idyllic country roads where you drive well at 60-70 km/h.

Well designed interior for a car like this.

The first impression of the interior is like Leaf and Auris. But KIA has lifted it by giving it youthful design. "My" car has a leather interior. I found a perfectly good sitting position. However, the levers for the seat adjustment are soft and tingly. I tried to lower the seat with a lever I thought was made for that, but didn't dare use it for fear it would break. It's a shame that plastic gadgets for a couple of tens spoil the overall impression.

Speaking of the car's negative aspects, I would also like to point out that the daytime running lights do not turn on the rear lights. I realized it when the car behind flashed as we entered the tunnel on the E134. I also include frustration that the navigation system does not include small streets in Drammen.

Borre Familiecamping is located with the Oslofjord as its nearest neighbour.

The first destination on the trip was Borre, which lies just south of Horten and is known for its burial mounds. I turned off at the church and followed the small road down to Borre Familiecamping and the boat harbour. It's almost how you imagined the Viking ships on the beach. Instead, I glimpsed ships in formation south towards Slagen. Beautiful that too.

Horten & Omegn Veteranvogn Klubb had collected many beautiful cars around Gamle Borre Station.

As usual, the car exhibition was held at Gamle Borre Station, which today is only an old building without a railway. A perfect backdrop for old cars of all ages. There was a good atmosphere and many visitors. Not just old men like myself, but families with children. In a time with a lot of negative talk about cars, I think it's important to show cars from a different angle - as something beautiful and a bit nostalgic.

I think the Kia Soul is one of the toughest electric cars today. That is perhaps because it is based on a normal cool everyday car, - not a specially designed car for low air resistance and fancy electric car effects. I like the functional, square look. Even if you sit high, and the compartment seems airy, there are no major space advantages in the car. Rear seat passengers have good legroom and are suitable for children due to good visibility. The trunk is 281 liters - like the VW Polo. It is completely flat, and a compartment underneath hides the charging cables.

According to the local newspaper NCAP safety in the KIA Soul is not among the best European competitors. Total score does not reach the Nissan Leaf. Among other things, the report points to an increased risk of damage to the upper torso in the event of a side impact against a post.

"My" car has the highest level of equipment at NOK 259, which includes ventilated leather seats, heated rear seats and front and rear parking sensors. Prices for the KIA Soul start at 900. Even the cheapest model has LED lights, navigation, keyless access, heated steering wheel etc. The list of extras is not very long. There is not much you need to spend on winter wheels and paint additives. The nice combination of black/red costs NOK 224.

Considering the entry-level model, you get a lot of car for the money. I like the design of the car, both inside and out. It is not a distinctly "keen driver's car", nor premium class, - but still provides a high feel-good factor in daily use, as well as pleasure trips. You sit comfortably high. In terms of space, it belongs to the B class, which corresponds to the Volkswagen Polo. It is very easy to drive and requires no getting used to. The steering wheel, gears and switches are where you'd expect them to be.

And the range?

The practical range is completely on par with the new Nissan Leaf 30 kwh. Unfortunately, the first miles disappeared all too quickly. But after I joined old Sørlandske it went much better. I didn't charge on the way, and still had a few miles left when I got home. With mostly calm driving, half without air conditioning, I got 185 km mileage in 17-18 degree summer temperatures and a slight headwind on the way home.