Range anxiety and charging times are false difficulties with electric automobiles, contrary to what early adopter EV enthusiasts claim. These are valid worries that, if not addressed, would prevent the expansion and widespread use of electric vehicles outside the enthusiast community.
But the market has now found a solution for both after more than a decade of false starts in the development and use of electric vehicles: extremely rapid charging.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5, which I drove and adored last year, has a corporate twin, the Kia EV6, which I was testing this week. I was truly amazed by how quickly DC fast charging can beless than 18 minutes to provide more than 200 miles of rangeand how it alters everything.
The innovative (and pricey) 800-volt architecture used by the EV6 was made possible by the enormous scale economies of the E-GMP platform, which will support the majority of the forthcoming EVs from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Competitors with slower charging 400-volt systems include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, and Polestar 2.
The rise in voltage is significant, but to understand why, we first discuss basic physics: Watts are calculated using the formula volts * amps. In plain English, it indicates that you must increase the volts, the amperage, or both in order to accelerate the charging of an electric vehicle (EV). The E-GMP platform can charge a 400-volt vehicle at the same amperage twice as quickly as an 800-volt vehicle by employing an 800-volt architecture instead of a 400-volt.
Though Tesla continues to use a 400V architecture, its Superchargers can accommodate significantly more amperage than the majority of other fast-charging locations. In order to sustain higher amperage, both the car and the charging cable require much more copper (a thicker cable, for example), alternate cooling techniques, and/or measures to prevent overheating. Tesla’s technology is either superior to that of the competition (maybe!) or the business is just a little less conservative than the rest of the sector (certainly! ), or more likely a little of both.
What is certain is that Hyundai and Kia invested a significant amount of money in the research and development of the 800-volt system, exchanging an initial financial outlay for a significantly improved product. This positions Hyundai Motor Group as a leader in the world’s transition to electric vehicles for many years to come. Hyundai and Kia are not the only luxury companies offering 800-volt EVs. Although Porsche and Audi are already selling them, the South Korean company is now the only major automaker to offer 800V vehicles.
I was astounded when I tested out a 350 kW Electrify America fast charger with my EV6. I walked into a Walmart parking lot with a 14 percent charge, swiped a credit card on a brand-new charger, and watched as electrons started to flow.
I had reached much over 200 kilowatts of charge in less than 30 seconds. According to research done by InsideEVs, that’s twice what you’d see with a Ford Mustang Mach-E, which just about manages 100 kilowatts from 10% to 40%.
My research supported Kia’s claim that the EV6 can charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, which is incredibly quick when compared to the Mach-(about E’s 45 minutes) and VW ID’s charging times.4 (about 35 minutes). I’ve given the Mach-E positive reviews on multiple occasions, however it takes approximately three times as long to charge from 10% to 80%, after which the charging rate drops precipitously to around 12 kilowatts.
Contrarily, the EV6 continued to charge at just over 100 kilowatts even after completing 80 percent of its charge cycle, which is as quickly as the Mach-E for the majority of its full charge cycle. A portion of this is attributable to Ford’s charging software’s conservative design, which, according to company engineers, was created expressly to safeguard the battery and may be loosened in the future. But now, when compared to other items in their price range, the Kia and Hyundai products are lightning-quick.
Due to the company’s Supercharger facilities, I used to suggest the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y as my go-to EVs for everyone. The Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 have risen to the top of my list of suggestions thanks to these remarkable charging speeds and a rapidly expanding network of very-high-speed third-party charging stations (Electrify America, in particular).
The time it takes to stop at a gas station, refuel, go inside for a toilet break, and choose which can of road trip Pringles you want is rapidly approaching the duration of an 18-minute charging session. With the EV6 and Ioniq 5 and whatever EVs they release next, it puts Kia and Hyundai in the front of the field.
Additionally, it puts the rest of the industry on the back foot right away, despite the fact that they’ll undoubtedly dispute it. The VW ID and Mustang Mach-E won’t be far behind. Four owners begin to gripe about how their fancy new EV recharges much more slowly while they watched a Kia roll in empty and roll out fully charged.
Nearly all EV owners engage in conversation at charging stations, sharing notes and taking an interest in different vehicles as if it were an unplanned auto show. The EV6 and Ioniq 5 also have the best chance of winning best of show by exiting first.
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How long does it take a Level 1 charger to fully charge an EV6?
Your charging experience will be more flexible thanks to the EV6’s compatibility for a variety of charge levels. In other words, more locations for car charging. This covers in-home installation, using a standard wall outlet, and using public fast-charging locations. Let’s compare the situation now. Charge levels comprise:
3kW at a slow rate: 0100 percent in about 26 hours. Don’t worry; this level of charging is mostly intended for top-ups or emergencies. The normal outlet’s convenience comes at the cost of some charging time.
Rapid 50kW: 80% in a little more than one hour. This is ideal if you’re headed to a restaurant for lunch or dinner or if you need to stop somewhere along a long drive.
250 kW Ultra-Fast: 1080 percent in just 20 minutes. That’s right, while your automobile regains a few hundred miles of range, you can buy a cup of coffee and unwind for a while. And it will probably be less expensive than that coffee, too. You should reach your maximum capacity in about 30 minutes.
kW DC Charger
On a different day, but at the same Electrify America station, we conducted our EV6 test. Possibly by chance, the temperature was below freezing this time29 degreesas opposed to 53 degrees for the Ioniq 5. Due to the fact that we are not regular thieves, we used the “available 350-kW charger. The 30-minute session increased the anticipated range from 58 to 221 miles, increased the state of charge from 23 to 84 percent, and added 52.5 kWh for a total cost of $22.36.
As with the Ioniq 5, the charging rate increased to 130 kW after the battery’s level of charge reached 47 percent after starting out in the 70-kW range. Is there a magic number of 47 percent? Sadly, it never reached the same peak power as the Ioniq 5, even for a brief moment; perhaps this was because of the cooler weather. Its maximum power was 134.1 kW. The EV6 had been driven extensively before charging for more than an hour, just like the Ioniq 5.
How much time does it take to supercharge a Kia?
If you drive the Kia EV6 on a road trip, you might not have to pay for charging it, but you might want to lower your expectations. Kia and Electrify America recently announced a partnership that will provide 1,000kWh of free charging at any US station for up to three years to EV6 purchasers. That provides between 3,500 and 4,000 miles of driving, depending on your vehicle model and the state of the roads.
If you’re in a rush, the promotion can be useful. You can obtain an 80 percent charge in as little as 18 minutes if you happen to come across one of Electrify America’s 350kW chargers.
However, as you might have inferred from the figures, the offer isn’t quite as sweet as it seems. You’ll get approximately 11 to 13 full charges if you drive the 310-mile “Wind” version of the EV6, which has the longest range. That’s OK if you’re traveling cross-country, but it won’t do much for you if you’re trying to cut costs on your commute. If you want a Hyundai group EV without having to frequently top it off, you could choose to invest in the Ioniq 5 (which guarantees limitless 30-minute charges for two years).
However, this may be a helpful offer. It might lessen the first shock of EV ownership, especially if you’re unaware of how much long-distance travel would cost. It’s also, in some ways, a competitive necessity. If you were otherwise hesitant to purchase the Kia, Tesla’s Supercharger network may encourage you to do so because it is still greater than Electrify America’s counterpart.
Should I charge my EV6 all the way up?
Keep your EV battery away from severe heat and take your time while charging; you can extend the life of your battery.
A battery can age for more reasons besides only the calendar. The level of the battery’s charge and exposure to severe temperatures have a significant impact on battery life, albeit it is anticipated to be the main reason for battery degradation for electric cars.
1. When parked, reduce exposure to sweltering heat.
The most common danger occurs when leaving a car unplugged and subjecting it to intense heat. In order to maintain low temperatures for maximum efficiency, an automated temperature control system placed in your electric car may unnecessarily drain your batteries. While this functionality should only be utilized when your electric car is on the road and using its battery, you should park it in the shade or plug it in so that its thermal management system only uses grid power while it is in operation. You should also ensure a stable range of temperatures while it is in operation.
2. Reduce the number of batteries at full charge.
A battery management system that prevents charging and discharging at the extreme level of charge is already built into electric cars. The performance of the battery life of your car is improved by maintaining the battery charge between 0% and 100%. While a full charge will provide you the longest possible operating time, it is never a good idea for the battery’s overall lifespan.
3. Steer clear of quick charging
Using a quick charger is quite convenient if your batteries are about to run out. But because it pumps so much current into the cells so quickly, your EV battery is strained and dries out more quickly. Even though it is difficult to see, eight years of regular charging will result in a 10% longer battery life than eight years of rapid charging.
4. Maintain the best battery charge throughout extended storage.
Electric vehicles’ batteries deteriorate while they are parked or stored, whether they are full or empty. Get a timed charger and plug it in if you don’t use your electric car much or have a lengthy trip planned. When you park your car at full charge for an extended period of time, the battery will struggle to maintain its state of charge while you are away. One tactic is to adjust the charger so that the charge stays between 25% and 75% of its average level, just above the low mark and not filled to full.
Ioniq charges how quickly?
This year’s most cutting-edge electric vehicle is the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. Hyundai wanted those who might be unfamiliar with electric vehicles to find the Ioniq 5 to be a simple transition. The company also desired a rapid and simple charging process. So, the Ioniq is compatible with both 400-volt and 800-volt power sources.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range all-wheel drive would charge from 10 percent SoC to 80 percent SoC in around 18 minutes using a 350-kWh charger, according to Inside EVs. Using the 800-volt DC charging, the range was increased by around 179 miles. When using a DC Fast Charger, the Hyundai EV can reach 68 miles of range in around five minutes. The Ioniq increased the range of the conventional range battery by 154 miles by increasing the SoC from 10% to 80% at 38.5 kWh while using 400-volt DC charging.
The battery life and drivetrain affect the ranges of various models. The 256-mile range of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD Long Range is higher than the 303-mile range of the RWD model. The typical range is approximately 220 miles.
Everything Kia EV6 Drivers Need to Know About Charging an Electric Vehicle
The Kia EV6 is a small, all-electric crossover SUV with a competitive starting price. After the Kia EV6’s debut, it has won praise from the electric vehicle community. It’s comparable to other crossovers such the Hyundai Ioniq 5, its cousin the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Volkswagen I.D. The Tesla Model Y is comparable but more expensive.
The EV6 Light, which has a basic price of $40,900, has a 58 kWh battery and rear-wheel drive. The Wind ($47,000) and Kia EV6 GT-Line variants, which are more expensive, have a longer-range 77.4 kWh battery and can be had with either rear- or all-wheel drive. A fully equipped vehicle with 320 horsepower, a bigger battery, and all-wheel drive is the First Edition ($58,500). The First Edition model’s 1,500 units have all been reserved. Ultra-wide sunroof and vegan seats are among the features.
Although it will have excellent off-the-line performance and come in high-speed versions, the EV6 is not primarily a performance vehicle. Later on, Kia will release a quick EV6 GT with a 3.5-second zero-to-60 mph time. 7.2 seconds for the Wind and 8 seconds for the standard model are in contrast to that. Both The Light and Wind are rated at 117 MPGe and have top speeds of 115 mph. The Wind grade and higher have a towing capacity that can go up to 2,000 pounds, while the basic model is not capable of towing.
The big, floating center console that houses controls for amenities like heated seats takes up much of the EV6’s interior space. a pair of 12.3-inch touchscreens with touch functionality for regular use. The standard “Drivewise safety suite,” which includes a surround-view monitor, highway driving assistance, front and rear blind-spot collision avoidance, and a head-up display, is another benefit of the EV6. Even remote smart parking assistance is available.
Kia EV6 Charging & Range
According to the EPA, the Kia EV6’s range is impressive with its 58-kWh battery. On a single charge, the 816-pound battery can carry it 232 kilometers. The EPA estimates a range of up to 310 miles with the 77.4-kWh battery (weighing 1,052 pounds) in the Wind and higher models.
The 11-kilowatt onboard chargers in the Light and Wind variants can charge a car from 10 to 100 percent in around seven hours. The EV6 also includes 1,000 hours of free charging at Electrify America outlets.
Owners of EV6s need install a 48-amp home EV charger like the JuiceBox 48, which has a universal J1772 connection and is compatible with all current electric vehicles, in order to fully benefit from fast home charging.
The majority of Kia EV6 owners will not completely drain their battery in a day of driving and may charge only an hour or two each day because the average commuting distance in the U.S. is only 26.4 miles.
Through its vehicle-to-load charging adapter, which can run 110-volt appliances, the EV6 allows bidirectional charging. Owners can run a refrigerator for more than 300 hours, for example. If utilized for tailgating, a discharge limit can be set to ensure that the vehicle has enough power to drive home.
A limited time offer is also available to some Kia EV owners. A technician will be sent by Kia’s Currently app to the owner’s house to connect the vehicle to a 50-mile charge. It’s a pilot program that’s only right now accessible in a few places in California. Owners are not required to be there. Beta testers will receive two months of service at no cost after which they can purchase two monthly delivery for $25.
Level 3 DC fast charging for Kia EV6
The SAE Combined Charging Connector allows for 180 kilowatts of DC rapid charging for the base model EV6 (CCS). On the Wind and above trims, that is boosted to 240 kW. Sadly, the charging port is located above the back bumper, which is less practical than outlets close to the front of the car.
The EV6 is capable of 400- and 800-volt DC fast charging, and 210 miles of additional range can be added in just 18 minutes using a 350-kWh charger at 800 volts (going from 10- to 80-percent state of charge). The availability of these ultra-fast chargers is still limited. However, EV6 drivers can add 62 miles in 4.5 minutes when one is located. The Porsche Taycan is the only other car that is now capable of that rate.
The Taycan aside, Kia claimed last year that its EV6 had the fastest recharging in the business. The automobile was plugged in for seven hours, ten minutes, and one second on a 2,880-mile cross-country trip from New York to Los Angelesa record that surpasses a Tesla supercharger.