- Kia EVs finally have access to the Tesla Supercharger network in the U.S.
- Customers with the EV6, EV9 or Niro EV can now plug-in at 21,500 additional DC fast charging ports in the country.
- The rollout was delayed by about four months.
Kia’s electric vehicle customers can now hit the open road with a lot less charging anxiety. After a four-month delay, the carmaker has officially unlocked access to Tesla’s massive Supercharger network for its electric lineup.
Tesla offers by far the most comprehensive public fast charging network in the U.S., and also the most reliable one. If you pull into a charging station, the chances of you finding dispensers that are out of order or broken are extremely low. Although the reliability for non-Tesla networks such as Electrify America and EVgo is also steadily improving.
Kia EV owners can now access more than 21,500 DC fast charging ports in the Tesla Supercharger network. The model year 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 get the Tesla-developed North American Charging Standard (NACS) port right from the factory. Niro EV owners and those with older model year EV6s and EV9s can use the NACS-to-CCS adapter to plug into the Superchargers.
Photo by: Suvrat Kothari
Owners will also be able to find and navigate to the Tesla Superchargers through the infotainment screens and via the Kia smartphone app which can also show charger availability, status and pricing. Enrollment is required for the Tesla charging program though, which can be accessed through the app.
The automaker said before the Tesla deal, its owners had access to about 22,000 public fast charging stations across the country. Tesla Supercharger access doubles that number, with combined access to more than 40,000 ports. That could fundamentally improve road trips for Kia drivers, likely making that experience much, much easier.
“Tesla Superchargers are critical infrastructure, and Kia America condemns the recent attacks that disrupt the availability of convenient and affordable charging for our customers,” Kia said in a statement.
The Tesla Supercharger network now supports 11 brands, including Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and more. Access is coming soon to nine more carmakers, with BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, Acura, Toyota, Subaru, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche next in line.
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