Steering You Right with Sharon Peters: Niro Time?
Q: We’ve been waiting for the Kia Niro SUV plug-in to arrive at our dealership for the last several months because in the spring we read that it would be out in the fall. A few times since November we’ve driven through the dealership and haven’t seen any there. Has there been a delay?
A: The hybrid crossover vehicle got a lot of attention at the L.A. Auto Show during the final days of November. Company officials said it would begin arriving at dealerships in late December, but that realistically it could be January before some would receive it.
Know this: some dealerships might be opting not to put this vehicle into their inventories because they believe that, in their particular market, there would be no demand. So as you cruise through, there might be no Niro plug-ins or there might be only one or two, which would be easy to overlook.
It would be best to call the dealership and ask if/when your dealer will have some for you to check out.
Q: I’m wondering whether the tech geniuses are working on anything that will make charging electric vehicles easier or quicker or more convenient.
A: BMW announced recently that it’s been working on a wireless charging pad that will work with its electric vehicles.
It’s a large drive-over pad technology that will be available later in 2018, first for the 2018 BMW 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrid, and at some later unspecified time for its other electric vehicles.
The company has posted a video that shows how you drive the car over the pad (with guidance from an onboard camera), carefully aligning the charging pad with the charge plate affixed on your car’s undercarriage.
It’s not really faster: a full charge takes 3.5 hours. And it will be an add-on option.
This far out, I don’t see how it’s an advantage over plugging in a cord to recharge your car, particularly because of what we can assume will be a pretty stiff price. Only time will tell.
Mercedes-Benz has also announced it is working on a wireless option. That carmaker too is aiming for a 2018 launch.
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Sharon Peters What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.