Summary
- Kia is offering free NACS adapters to customers who purchased a Kia EV after Sept. 4, 2024
- The cost of the adapters for other Kia EV owners has not been disclosed
- Kia EVs will be able to charge at Tesla Superchargers before the end of the first quarter
- Kia plans to start shipping adapters in early 2025
- Kia’s partnership with Ionna North American fast-charging network emphasizes NACS connectors outside the Supercharger network.
Article
Kia has announced that customers who purchase a 2024 or 2025 Kia EV9 or a 2024 Kia EV6 after September 4, 2024, will receive a free Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapter in 2025. For all other Kia EV owners, including those who purchased an EV6 or EV9 before the aforementioned date, as well as Kia Niro EV owners, the price of the adapters has not been disclosed. The company plans to begin shipping adapters in early 2025, with Supercharger access expected to be available by the end of the first quarter.
While most major car brands have announced plans to adopt the NACS charge port, Kia is one of the few to offer adapters and access to the Tesla Supercharger network. General Motors is also providing adapters, but all customers will need to pay for them. Ford initially offered one free adapter per vehicle to existing EV customers. Kia did not specify the cost of the adapters for non-qualifying customers, but they plan to make them available in early 2025.
Kia is a partner in the Ionna North American fast-charging network, which supports both the NACS and CCS standards. The company emphasized the availability of NACS DC fast chargers in the U.S., totaling over 16,500 units, according to the Energy Department’s Alternative Fuel Data Center as of September 2024. While Kia did not mention Tesla or Superchargers specifically, they seem to be preparing for the expansion of the Ionna network, which may include NACS connectors that are not part of the Supercharger network.
Hyundai, along with sibling brands Kia and Genesis, has announced support for the NACS standard. Hyundai has already started incorporating NACS charge ports into their Ioniq 5 EVs, while Kia has not provided a timeline for adding NACS ports to their vehicles. The updated timeline for Kia EV access to the Tesla Supercharger network was announced on January 15, with the company now aiming to open up Supercharger access by the end of the first quarter. Kia appears to be prioritizing the implementation of NACS connectors in anticipation of the Ionna network expansion.
In conclusion, Kia has adjusted its rollout plan for Tesla NACS adapters and access to the Supercharger network for their EV customers. While some customers will receive free adapters, others will need to pay for them, with pricing details yet to be announced. The company plans to ship adapters in early 2025 and provide Supercharger access by the end of the first quarter. Kia is a part of the Ionna fast-charging network, which supports NACS and CCS standards and may include NACS connectors not connected to the Supercharger network. Hyundai has already started incorporating NACS charge ports into their vehicles, but Kia has not provided a timeline for implementation.
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