Kia’s EV4 Endures Nürburgring Punishment and Long-Haul Road Tests to Deliver a Stronger Battery

Kia has revealed that its new all-electric EV4 has completed a gruelling durability programme designed to prove the resilience of its battery and drivetrain under extreme conditions. Among the highlights was a 10,000-kilometre stint at the Nürburgring, driven at 90–95 percent of maximum performance and interspersed with repeated ultra-fast charging cycles.

The programme also included accelerated wear tests simulating 110,000 kilometres of regular road use. According to Kia, the fourth-generation battery system emerged from the ordeal with 95 percent of its capacity intact. The company attributes this to improved thermal management and more even distribution of coolant between battery modules, keeping temperatures stable even under heavy loads.

The EV4’s regenerative braking system is said to reduce battery strain and can recapture up to a quarter of the energy used during deceleration. Kia promises that the battery will retain at least 70 percent of its capacity after 160,000 kilometres or eight years of normal use, although the warranty terms vary by market.

The statement suggests that Kia is positioning the EV4 less as a showcase of cutting-edge technology and more as a durability proposition. The Nürburgring runs and simulated European road miles make for an impressive sales pitch, but in real life, battery health will still depend more on charging habits and environmental conditions than on laboratory or track results. These tests should be seen as an indicator rather than a guarantee.