* Kia Soul EV
achieves UL Environment Validation for Bio-Based Organic Carbon Content for 10%
of its interior plastic
* Soul EV to have its
world premiere at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show
Kia Motors Corporation has announced that the company’s new
Soul EV (electric vehicle), which will have its world premiere at the 2014
Chicago Auto Show starting later this week, has achieved UL Environment
validation for bio-based organic carbon content for 10% of its interior
materials. UL Environment is the environmental business unit of UL (Underwriters
Laboratories), a global independent safety science company.
Various bio-based materials have been applied to the Soul
EV, such as bio degradable plastic, bio-foam and bio-fabric. Unlike previous
plastic materials that are based from oils, bio-based materials are derived
from biomass, which is a photosynthate. Such modern biochemical technologies
have replaced the majority of the existing chemistry industry by offering an
alternative through development of new bio-materials.