The new Kia EV2 aces brutal winter test

If you think small electric cars cannot handle the freezing cold, the new Kia EV2 is here to prove you wrong. In a winter range test held in Norway, this tiny electric vehicle showed that size does not always matter when the temperature drops. The Kia EV2 is the smallest and most affordable entry in the company's electric lineup, but it just finished one of the toughest driving tests in the world with flying colors.

The test was organized by the Norwegian Automotive Federation. Every year, they take the newest electric cars into the mountains to see how far they can drive before the battery dies. This year was the coldest ever, with temperatures reaching a bone-chilling -24°F. Many EVs struggle in the snow, but a prototype version of the Kia EV2 managed to keep going long after others would have stopped.

The specific car used for this test was a long-range prototype with a 61 kWh battery and 19-inch wheels. Normally, Kia expects this version of the car to travel about 257 miles on a single charge in perfect weather. In the freezing Norwegian air, the car covered 193 miles, losing only about 24.8% of its total range.

Surprisingly, losing less than 25% of your range in extreme cold is a huge win. Most cars lose much more because the battery has to work harder to keep itself and the passengers warm. The EV2 even beat out many bigger and more expensive EVs that were part of the official test. Because it is still a prototype, its score was not officially ranked, but it actually had the lowest percentage of range loss of any car there.

The drivers did not use any special tricks to save energy. They did not use "Eco mode," which usually makes the car slower to save power. Instead, they kept the cabin at a cozy 70°F. They drove at normal speeds on B-roads and through the mountains to show what a regular driver can expect when taking the Kia EV2 out on a cold morning.

When the car finally stopped moving, the screen still showed 1% of battery left. It even predicted the car could go another 9 miles but that was likely because the car is a prototype and the computer is still being tuned. Even so, driving nearly 200 miles in a tiny city car during a blizzard is impressive.

Range is not the only thing that matters in the winter. Charging speed usually slows down when it is freezing outside, but the little Kia handled this well too. It used a DC fast charger to go from 10% to 80% battery in 36 minutes - only six minutes slower than what the car is expected to do in warm weather.

The car uses a high-tech heat pump to stay warm. This part acts like a reverse refrigerator, pulling heat from the outside air and the motor to warm the cabin. It uses much less energy than a normal heater, which helps the battery last longer. For a car that is only 159.8 inches long, it packs in a lot of clever technology.

The Kia EV2 is a practical small SUV designed for city life. It is 70.9 inches wide and 62 inches tall. Inside, it has a clever "Picnic Box" design with sliding and reclining rear seats. If you push the seats forward, you get 14.2 ft³ of cargo space. There is even a small 0.53 ft³ frunk under the hood.

Kia plans to start selling the long-range version in the summer of 2026. There will also be a cheaper version with a smaller 42.2 kWh battery for people who mostly drive in the city. Official prices are not set, but it is expected to start at around $34,300 in the UK. For many people, this could be the perfect way to switch to electric cars without spending a fortune.

The winter test revealed that the Kia EV2 offers a smooth ride, a high-tech interior with three screens, and enough range to handle a road trip even in the middle of winter. If this small car can survive a record-breaking winter in Norway, it can probably handle your daily commute with ease, proving that EVs are getting better every year. You can watch the entire winter test right here:

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