Set to the sounds of soulful electrified blues music, Kia Motors America (KMA) today hosted the global unveiling of the 2015 Soul EV at the Chicago Auto Show. Scheduled to go on sale in the third quarter of 2014, the Soul EV will be Kia's first all-electric, zero-emissions car sold in the U.S. and expands the brand's line of environmentally conscious vehicles. The Soul EV joined the refreshed 2014 Optima Hybrid on stage along with the Niro hybrid concept, illustrating Kia's intent to lead the industry in providing technologically advanced vehicles that also reduce our dependency on non-renewable resources. Kia's eco-friendly commitment was further underscored when Underwriters Laboratory (UL) honored the Soul EV with the organization's first automotive environmental validation for its integration of more than 20 bio-friendly materials.

"The new Soul EV is at the forefront of Kia's 'Clean Mobility' program and will offer an even more environmentally friendly option to our customers when it goes on sale later this year," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA. "The Soul EV retains the fun and funky style as well as the packaging efficiency and utility that have made the gasoline-powered Soul such a huge hit with consumers. And to that winning combination it adds useable real-world range and multiple charging options, making it the perfect EV for everyone."