The CCS charging standard, which has a combination AC and DC intake connector, is what the Kia EV6 makes use of. The Type 2 connector, which is used while charging at home or at public slow and fast AC ports, fits into the top portion of the inlet. High power is transported via the upper and lower regions of the intake during rapid DC charging. The CCS charging input for the Kia EV6 is located on the off-side rear flank, which is where the car’s side and rear come together.
Depending on the network and kind of charge unit, the Kia EV6 can be charged at public points in a slow, fast, or rapid manner. Fast charging often requires a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, whereas slow charging typically calls for a 3-pin-to-Type 2. One of these cables is typically included with the vehicle. The vehicle employs a tethered CCS connector, which is a component of the charging unit, for quick charging.
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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.
Can I use a Tesla station to charge my Kia?
The Supercharger network that powers all of Tesla’s electric vehicles, not its selection of electric automobiles, is the company’s most valuable asset. However, the experience is far from ideal even if other companies can now charge their EVs at Tesla superchargers. Bjorn Nyland, a well-known YouTuber, demonstrated what happens when a Kia EV6 is hooked into a Tesla supercharger.
Tesla superchargers are widely available and provide quick charging along with a seamless driving experience that is unmatched in the EV industry. The only thing you need to do if you drive a Tesla is park the car and plug it in. Like magic, the charger connects with the vehicle, and the invoicing is handled immediately.
For all other EV brands, however, who rely on external charging networks, the entire process is a disaster. You must set up an account and a billing option, install an app (or several), and many times customers have claimed that the charger is difficult to persuade to charge the vehicle. It makes sense that every EV automaker in the world aspires to have a charging system similar to the Tesla Supercharger. They are fortunate because Tesla just declared it will allow other brands to use its network.
The decision benefits both parties, since EV owners now have access to the best charging infrastructure in the world and Tesla now has access to their cash. They only need to download the Tesla app to their phones and follow the same steps they would for any other charging network they have access to. Therefore, it falls short of the hassle-free experience that Tesla owners enjoy, but at least it provides a second way to charge an EV.
Of course, as non-Tesla users of the network start to realize, there’s more to it than just getting access to the supercharger. To begin with, there are situations where the car will not bargain with the charger. Additionally, even when everything seems to be going well, it might not. Even while the charging process begins as predicted, YouTuber Bjorn Nyland observed that the Kia EV6 and Tesla Supercharger don’t always get along.
The EV6 has a problem with improper plug locking; as a result, anyone can unplug the plug while the owner is gone from the vehicle. Even though it might only be a glitch that gets fixed in a subsequent version, this is still a concern. We don’t know if this is an issue that only the Kia EV6 is experiencing or if it affects all non-Tesla EVs. Due to how simple it is to unhook a non-Tesla from a supercharger by simply pressing the button on the plug, failure to lock the charging plug might result in severe disagreements between drivers.
How much time does it take a Kia EV6 to charge at home?
- Most home charging stations offer this modest charging rate of 3 to 7 kW.
- Generally, a battery needs 8 to 24 hours to fully charge depending on the EV’s battery technology (ideal for overnight home charging).
- A dedicated circuit is needed for charging equipment, which delivers charging through a 220 volt (V), alternating-current (AC) connector. Typically, slow charging uses a regular household outlet (or a Type 2 socket).
- This equipment comes as standard on EVs and doesn’t need to be installed with charging infrastructure.
- When you purchase an electric vehicle, a charging cord for this kind of charging will be provided. A typical home plug is located on one end of the supplied cord. A connection that plugs into the vehicle is on the other end of the cable.
- 11 to 22 kW is the typical range for workplace charging stations and some public charging stations.
- Fast charging can take between 3 and 6 hours to fully charge, depending on the battery technology used in the specific model.
- Colder conditions may result in longer charging times.
- Installation of home charging or public charging equipment is required. Charging is done through a 220V, AC socket.
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.
Are all EVs compatible with all charging stations?
Purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) allows you to avoid costly trips to the gas station while preserving the environment and your health. The learning curve for charging, from how long it takes to how much it costs, is still present. Let’s dissect your top concerns about EV charging so that you can drive and replenish with assurance.
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the battery in your specific vehicle and where and when you choose to charge, charging your EV from zero can take as little as 20 minutes or as long as 40 hours. First, it’s important to understand the three EV charging levels.
- Level 1: According to EV jargon, this refers to inserting the cord set that came with your EV into a typical 120-volt outlet (the same type you’d use for, instance, a phone charger or a lamp). The general idea is that, if you’re starting from scratch, this kind of charging takes between 40 and 50 hours. However, it’s important to remember that American automobile owners only travel 31 miles each day on average. Therefore, Level 1 might be plenty for your everyday requirements or, in a pinch, could add some miles.
- Level 2: This indicates that you are using a hardwired piece of equipment or a 220-volt outlet, the same kind that is used by large appliances like washers. You can charge from empty in this situation in between four and ten hours. Many offices and commercial parking lots have public Level 2 charging stations, but most EV owners also have this model installed in their garage so they can charge overnight. The cost of Level 2 equipment might be covered by some incentives, which is a wonderful bonus.
- Level 3: Level 3 chargers, commonly referred to as DCFC chargers or direct current fast chargers, have the quickest charging rates and can fully charge an EV in as little as 20 minutes. Although using these public charging stations is more expensive, they are especially useful for time-constrained travelers or urban drivers who can’t conveniently refuel at home. Additionally, they are accelerating. The current models being installed are typically at least three times as powerful as those that were first introduced, with some charging at 350kW. The first generation typically charged automobiles at 50kW.
Overall, there are a few additional considerations. One, you won’t frequently charge your battery from empty to full. In actuality, charging durations are shortened for EV drivers since they are much more likely to “top off” their batteries. (In general, most manufacturers advise keeping the battery charged between 20 and 80 percent of capacity to increase its lifespan.)
Of course, not all automobiles have the same battery capacity. The huge 212 kWh battery of General Motors’ 2022 all-electric Hummer could take hours longer to fully charge than the Chevy Bolt’s more modest 65 kWh battery. But even the largest EV batteries can usually be charged overnight with Level 2 charging.
Furthermore, not all batteries can absorb current at the same pace, a drawback that is particularly important for Level 3 charging. The 350kW Level 3 charging stations that are increasingly the industry standard and can provide hundreds of miles of range in about as much time as it takes to get a coffee and use the restroom are inaccessible to the first generation of EVs because they are frequently only capable of charging at 50kW.
What are the different types of EV plugs?
EVs feature unique charge terminals that resemble outlets on the vehicle. This implies that different EVs require different plug shapes. Knowing what type of plug your automobile uses is essential because not all public charging stations will work with all plug types.
All EVs sold in the United States (aside from Teslas) use a J1772 socket for Level 1 and Level 2 charging (also known as a J-plug). Except for Teslas, all American EVs utilize either CCS or CHAdeMO outlets for quick Level 3 DCFC. CCS stands for “combined charging system” and is the most prevalent. For all types of charging, including at Tesla Supercharger locations, Teslas use the same specialized plug. They also include a J1772 adaptor as standard.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Compared to the typical gas vehicle in their class, an average EV driver will save 60% on fuel expenses. However, energy is still not free, so you’ll need to do some math to figure out how much charging will cost you.
The majority of EV owners frequently charge at home, so your bill will depend on where you live and how often you charge your vehicle. The kilowatt-hour (kWh)/100 miles rate of your automobile (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon) should be multiplied by your energy rate, which you can find on your utility bill, to obtain an idea of how much it will cost you each month to charge your car at home. You will receive the cost of electricity every 100 kilometers driven.
Be aware that charging your car at night, when demand and cost for electricity are lower, can result in savings of up to 30%. You’ll pay more if you choose to use public charging stations instead of your own, especially the ultra-quick DC fast chargers.
Where are the electric vehicle charging stations near me?
There aren’t as many EV charging stations as there are gas stations, but that’s going to change. It’s encouraging that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $7.5 billion to expand the number of public charging stations by 500,000. Additionally, expect regional administrations, utilities, and private electric car charging firms like ChargePoint and Tesla to expand their networks as the market share of EVs rises. You may be able to locate at least a couple public chargers in your area even now.
To filter nearby locations by available plug types, use a public charging station app like ChargeHub, PlugShare, or Chargemap.
Remember that you may need a physical membership card or to log in with your phone because certain charging firms require you to be a member in order to recharge your EV at their stations. The GPS system in a Tesla directs you to their exclusive network of Superchargers, which are only accessible to Tesla drivers (at least for now).
Are electric vehicles worth it?
You may be sure that it will be well worth your time to decide to drive an EV and learn how to charge one: The typical EV owner saves thousands of dollars over the course of the car’s life, spares the neighborhood from poisonous exhaust emissions, and aids in the permanent phase-out of climate-destroying fossil fuels.