Kia Introduces Plug&Charge Tech to Kia EV9 Overseas
The Kia Corp is making owning a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) easier and easier. Partnering up with Electrify America twice in 2022, owners of the Kia Niro EV could charge their BEV for free, offering up to 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of complimentary BEV charging. Boasting the popularity of the Kia EV6, Electrify America offered EV6 owners 1,000 kWh free of charge. With their recent update allowing BEV owners to make use of the Tesla Supercharger Network, the newest addition Plug&Charge technology. First being tested in Europe on the EV9, consumers can connect their BEV with any Plug&Charge capable public charging station.
“Plug&Charge is a very convenient technology that offers decreased manual handling, resulting in a faster, smoother process for our customers…By offering our customers electric vehicles as well as the most advanced charging solutions, we’re smoothing the way for the switch to sustainable mobility, as well as proving ourselves to be serious contenders in the highly competitive EV market in Europe.” – ,” Sjoerd Knipping, Vice President of Marketing and Product at Kia Europe
Plug&Charge makes it much easier for Kia consumers to connect their BEV to charging station without the need for identification or an intermediate step to start the charging process. This technology makes authentication fully automated, allowing for faster, more secure, and convenient recharging of the BEV battery. A concept from the International Organisation for Standardisation (IOS), Plug&Charge offers seamless BEV charging, unlike current charging technology that requires an RFID card, app (like Kia Charge), or contactless payment to initiate a connection after plugging into a charge point.
Plug&Charge requires the charge point equipment and BEV being compliant with one another to establish a connection. This means the BEV must be compatible with Plug&Charge and have a Plug&Charge certificate installed. Furthermore, the charge point must have Plug&Charge capability implemented into the station. The new service by Kia will have their bases covered by integrating an identification method directly into the vehicle to communicate with Plug&Charge capable charging stations and automatically begin the charging process.
The service will also make it easier for BEV owners to plan ahead and choose charging stations based on availability and budget. This is thanks to Plug&Charge offering a variety of information, such as real-time updates on charging fees and availability. Additional services include a navigation function to guide the driver to the chosen charging station and the ability to apply filter options, such plug type, charging speed, and access type. Once charging is complete, the consumer can disconnect and drive away. Consumers don’t even have to worry about paying then and there. Instead, they will receive a monthly bill in accordance with the terms of their contract.
Starting in Europe, hopefully those of us in the U.S. won’t have to wait for the service to be integrated into our EV9 models. Charging stations like Electrify America have already simplified charging with Plug&Charge technology since 2020. If anything, the new Kia Connect app that gives Kia BEV owners access to the Tesla Supercharger network is still a great option for consumers looking to buy a new Kia EV6 at Miami Lakes Automall.