Kia UK has created the ultimate one-off electric surfer’s model for Cornwall’s surfing and music festival, Boardmasters.Â
Starting with a prototype vehicle, for the neptune-blue custom built Soul EV Boardmasters Edition, Kia added steel roof racks designed to carry two seven-foot-nine surfboards.
The car retains the Soul EV’s 64 kWh long-range battery pack.Â
Surfer modifications include 16-inch white steel wheels, chunky sand tyres and raised ground clearance, all designed to allow the vehicle to navigate tougher terrain and uneven surfaces on the way to the coast.
Added LED spotlights provide lighting for early mornings or late evenings at the beach.
A roof-mounted solar panel, separate to the car’s main battery pack, can power a mini fridge, the LED lights or other electrics without draining the main battery.
The car’s rear seats have been removed and replaced with wooden decking, and the rear door has a reclaimed wood fold out bench.  A 10-speaker Harman/ Kardon premium sound system is perfect for surf tunes.
The all-electric Kia Soul won World Urban Car at the 2020 World Car of the Year Awards.
This year, Kia brought its electric Niro model to Australia, but plans to bring the electric Soul to Australia remain up in the air due to Australia’s lack of electric vehicle or emissions policy.
Petra Stock is a Master of Journalism student who has worked in climate change, renewable energy and transport. She also works part-time in climate change for the Australian Conservation Foundation.