FYI: Kia EVs Now Have Access to Tesla’s North American Supercharger Network
Kia Motors has made a significant advancement for its EV customers by opening up access to Tesla’s comprehensive Supercharger network. This strategic move now enables owners of the Kia EV6, EV9, and Niro EVs to utilize over 21,500 Tesla Supercharger locations, dramatically expanding the charging options available to them across North America.
Expanding Charging Horizons for Kia Customers
Underlining Kia’s dedication to providing an outstanding ownership experience, Sean Yoon, President of Kia North America and Kia America, remarked that this expansion in charging availability is crucial for maintaining Kia’s position as a leader in electrified mobility. Access to Tesla’s Supercharger network almost doubles the number of DC fast chargers that Kia owners can use, elevating their confidence and convenience when choosing an electric Kia vehicle.
The current Kia EV models that feature a CCS1 Charging Port will have access to an NACS adapter through Kia dealerships, allowing them compatibility with Tesla’s charging infrastructure. Yet, looking toward the future, Kia plans to integrate NACS inlets as a standard configuration in the upcoming 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 models, thereby removing the necessity for an adapter.
Clarifying Kia’s Communication Standpoint
In a twist of corporate communications, Kia’s announcement also addressed a recent controversy involving social media posts by certain Nordic distributors. These posts took an opportunistic jab at Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, through an advertisement in Finland’s largest newspaper. However, Kia America quickly distanced itself from these actions, indicating they were independently orchestrated by the distributors in question without any guidance or approval from Kia’s leadership in America, Europe, or at a global level.
Kia America reiterated its commitment to maintaining clear and professional communication across all channels, emphasizing that these distributor actions do not align with the company’s values. Additionally, Kia condemned recent disruptions impacting the accessibility of affordable and convenient charging solutions for their EV customers.
Conclusion
This move to open up Tesla’s vast Supercharger network to Kia customers marks a step forward in enhancing the convenience and appeal of Kia’s electric vehicles. Through strategic infrastructural improvements and partnerships, Kia is steadfast in bolstering the EV experience and ensuring a seamless transition for its customers into an electrified future.
For more insights and updates on this story and other automotive news, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi or follow us on Twitter @automotivefyi.
William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
