Summary
- 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line has a peak charging rate of 216 kW
- Recharged from 18% to 80% in 22 minutes on a 350-kilowatt Electrify America charger
- Used 800-volt architecture for quick charging compared to most other EVs
- Charging session was interrupted, but resumed with charging reaching 216 kW
- Went from 18% to 87% in 28 minutes, gaining 186.3 EPA-estimated miles
Article
The 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line impressed with its speedy charging capabilities, hitting a peak charging rate of 216 kW during a pit stop. The EV9 recharged from 18% to 80% in just 22 minutes when connected to a 350-kilowatt Electrify America charger. This quick charging performance is thanks to its 800-volt architecture, allowing it to gain miles more rapidly than many other EVs on the market.
The quick charging performance of the Kia EV9 wowed both the author and their spouse, who typically aren’t interested in EVs. The EV9’s ability to gain 62% in the time it takes to charge with a 350-kilowatt charger equated to approximately 167.4 miles of driving range, making it ideal for a quick stop during a road trip. Kia’s estimate of 10%-80% in 24 minutes was close to the author’s experience, with the potential for even faster charging under optimal conditions.
Plugged into a 350-kW Electrify America charger, the EV9 quickly began charging at around 200 kW, maintaining that level for most of the session. The 800-volt architecture of the EV9 and other Hyundai Motor Group vehicles like the EV6 and Ioniq 5 allows for faster charging, compared to most EVs using 400-volt-class architectures. The session was interrupted briefly when another EV owner attempted to use the charger on the other side of the stall, but the author was able to resume charging at a peak rate of 216 kW.
Despite a brief interruption, the charging experience with the Kia EV9 was impressive and refreshed, especially compared to other EVs like the Cadillac Lyriq that took longer to recharge. Charging past 80%, the author gained 186.3 EPA-estimated miles in a total of 28 minutes, highlighting the potential for smooth charging experiences to convert skeptics of EVs. The EV9’s three-row SUV design may hamper its charging speed slightly, but overall, it offers a compelling charging performance for American consumers.
Overall, the Kia EV9 GT-Line showcased its fast-charging capabilities, impressing with a peak charging rate of 216 kW and recharging from 18% to 80% in just 22 minutes. The 800-volt architecture of the EV9 contributed to its rapid charging speeds, outperforming many other EVs on the market. The author’s experience with the EV9 aligned with Kia’s estimates, indicating the potential for even quicker charging under optimal conditions. The smooth charging experience and impressive performance compared to other EVs suggest that the Kia EV9 could help convert skeptics to adopt electric vehicles in the future.
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