Next year Kia Motors will launch an all-electric version of its popular urban crossover, the Soul, in the American market. Currently under development, the Soul EV will be the spearhead of Kia’s EV initiative known as the ‘Clean Mobility’ program.

You kind of get the sense Kia is making this EV just for the sake of having an EV in its portfolio. I mean the numbers that Electric Kia Soul is claiming are hardly impressive. There are a number of other EVs currently available in the U.S. market that can do a lot better. Why on earth would someone buy this one that has a range of only 120 miles, has no more than 109 hp and 210 lb.-ft. of torque, and takes five hours to be charged?

It seems that Kia could have hold on to it a bit longer and come up with a real contender. At any rate, the Electric Kia Soul is scheduled for market release in 2014. The car boats a high-capacity 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, which using a fast charger can be topped up in 25 minutes.

Electric cars quietness can be dangerous for pedestrains, so Soul EV will be equipped with a Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS) that emits an audio alert at speeds below 12 mph and whenever the car is in reverse. The car will be distinguished over normal models by its projection type headlamps, LED positioning lamps, LED rear combination lamps, plus aerodynamically shaped 16-inch alloy wheels.

Kia Soul EV takes eco-friendliness one step further than the rivals, as the interior components and trim will use an increased range of recycled materials including Bio Plastic, Bio Foam, Bio Fabric and Bio PET Felt, together with low volatility organic compounds and newly developed antibacterial materials and paint.