Kia Car Chargers
Charging at home can be one of the easiest ways to keep your Kia ready for the road. Kia’s electric range, including the EV3, EV4, EV6 or EV9, or a plug-in hybrid such as the Niro PHEV, can conveniently charge with a suitable home charger. Kia's growing range of electrified vehicles has different charging capabilities, so it's worth choosing a charger and cable that suit your particular model. From the compact EV3 to the larger EV9, Kia's electric vehicles support Type 2 AC charging for home use and the Combined Charging System (CCS) for compatible public rapid charging. The right home setup can help you make the most of your Kia's available charging speed without paying for more power than the vehicle can use.
Home Charging for Kia EV
Kia's current electric cars use the Type 2 and CCS charging standards, allowing them to connect with the widely used charging infrastructure found across the UK and Europe. For home charging, Kia's electric models are designed around AC charging. For example, the newer EV4 supports 11kW AC charging, with Kia quoting around 5 hours 20 minutes for the larger-battery version and 7 hours 15 minutes for the Standard Range model. This home charging can provide a convenient way to top up your battery as part of your daily routine. Kia supports a Type 2 charging cable with its EV range.
The Niro is available in both fully electric and plug-in hybrid forms, so the charging requirements depend on the exact version. Kia quotes the Niro EV at up to 11kW AC, with a typical 10–100% charging time of around 6 hours 20 minutes at that rate. The Niro PHEV has a lower AC charging capability of 3.3kW, meaning a higher powered home charger will not make the car charge at 7kW or 11kW; the vehicle's onboard charger determines the maximum charging rate.
Kia's larger EVs, including the EV6 and EV9, can also make use of an 11kW AC home charger. Kia quotes approximately 7 hours 35 minutes for a 10–100% charge on the EV6 and around 9 hours 5 minutes for the EV9 under its stated test conditions. For longer journeys, these models use CCS for DC rapid charging, with the EV6 capable of particularly fast DC charging at suitable high-power stations.
When choosing a Kia home charger, consider the car's maximum AC charging rate, your property's electrical supply, cable length (5m or 7.5m) and whether you want a tethered or untethered setup. Kia Connect can also be used with compatible vehicles to monitor charging and schedule charging, which can be useful if you have an electricity tariff with cheaper off-peak periods.
Kia Charge and Public Charging for Kia EV
For longer journeys, Kia Charge gives Kia EV drivers convenient access to a wide range of public charging spots across the UK and Europe through one service. Kia provides access to more than 42,200 charging points in the UK and over 480,400 networks across Europe, with the Kia App or RFID card letting drivers locate, access, and pay for compatible chargers.
Depending on the vehicle and charging point, Kia electric cars can use AC Type 2 chargers or faster DC CCS rapid chargers. Public DC charging speeds typically range from 50kW to 350kW, although the maximum rate depends on the individual Kia model and charger. For example, the Kia EV3 can charge from 10–80% in around 31 minutes on a suitable rapid charger while the EV6 can achieve the same charge in approximately 18 minutes.
FAQs
What type of charger does a Kia EV use?
Kia's electric cars use the Type 2 standard for AC charging and CCS for DC rapid charging. This applies across Kia's current UK EV range, including the EV3, EV4, EV6 and EV9.
Can I charge a Kia EV at home?
Yes. Kia's EVs can be charged using an AC home charge point. The maximum charging rate depends on the individual model and battery version, with several current Kia EVs supporting charging at up to 11kW AC.
Does the Kia EV3 come with a Type 2 charging cable?
Yes. Kia's UK EV3 specification lists a Type 2 charging cable as standard across the listed EV3 grades.
Can a Kia Niro PHEV use an 11kW home charger?
A Niro PHEV can be connected to a compatible AC charge point, but Kia specifies a maximum AC charging rate of 3.3kW for the current Niro PHEV. So, using an 11kW charger does not increase the vehicle's charging rate beyond what its onboard charging system supports.
How quickly can a Kia EV6 charge at home?
Kia quotes approximately 7 hours 35 minutes for a 10–100% charge using an 11kW AC supply. Actual charging times may vary depending on factors including battery state, temperature and the available electrical supply.
Does the Kia EV9 support 11kW home charging?
Yes. Kia's UK charging information lists the EV9 with an 11kW AC charging capability and quotes approximately 9 hours 5 minutes for a 10–100% charge under its stated conditions.
Can I use a rapid CCS charger with a Kia EV?
Yes. Kia's current electric vehicles use CCS for DC rapid charging. However, the maximum charging speed varies between models, so connecting to a higher-powered rapid charger does not necessarily mean the Kia will charge at the charger's full rated output.
