When compared to some other high-profile model releases, the Kia Niro was not the most anticipated electric car introduction, but both consumers and critics have praised it for its impressive range and stylish functionality. The Hyundai Kona EV and the Niro electric vehicle share the same platform, however the Niro has a longer wheelbase. The Niro is offered as a plug-in hybrid with an all-electric range of 26 miles in addition to a completely electric car option.
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Kia Niro Charging & Range
The Niro EV has a 64.0 kWh battery and can charge to 80% in less than an hour thanks to rapid charging at a rate of 7.4 kW on a level 2 EV charger and up to 7.7 kW on a DC fast charger. The Niro EV has a 239-mile estimated range. The Niro can charge from zero to full capacity with the supplied level 1 charger in about 60 hours. With the use of a more potent level 2 EV charging station, such as the JuiceBox 32 or 40, the charging time is significantly decreased. The Niro can be fully charged in around 9 hours using a level 2 charger.
For those who wish to drive more sustainably but need the added range provided by a gas engine, the Kia Niro PHEV is a suitable choice. The completely electric Niro and the plug-in hybrid Niro can both be charged at the same station. The 26-mile range can be fully recharged in about six hours using a level 1 charger. The Kia Niro PHEV can be fully charged using a level 2 charger in 2.5 hours, allowing drivers to charge overnight at home or throughout the day at work and still have enough juice to get to their destination using only battery power.
Level 3 DC fast charging: CCS
The Kia Niro EV features DC fast charging capability and can recharge up to 80% of its battery in around 60 minutes at a rate of up to 77 kW. For level 3 DC rapid charging, the Niro utilizes the SAE Combined Charging Connector (CCS).
How long does it take a Kia e-Niro to charge?
Even without being the best electric vehicle, the Kia e-Niro is one of the most capable vehicles available. The 64kWh battery offers a great range of 283 miles (WLTP), there is enough of space in the back, and the electric motor responds instantly, so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest. Watch the review of the Kia e-Niro below to see how our editor fared.
The Kia e-charging Niro’s periods will vary based on the battery’s state of charge, but utilizing a 7.4kW dedicated home wallbox, it will take 10 hours and 30 minutes to charge from empty to full (like those below). You may anticipate an 80 percent charge when connected to a public rapid charger in about 44 minutes.
Can the Kia Niro be charged at home?
Pricing the Kia Niro The EV and PHEV are both incredibly simple to charge at home. While the PHEV’s smaller battery allows it to add 26 miles in roughly 2.5 hours with a Level 2 charger, the EV can add miles a little faster, completing a complete 240-mile charge in under 10 hours with a 240V Level 2 charger like ChargePoint Home.
What is the cost of charging a Kia Niro EV?
The newest automaker to join with a charging network to offer electric car owners special pricing is Kia. Through the Kia Select program, owners of Kia Niro EVs can now receive discounts on Electrify America DC fast charging.
Owners of the 2019 and 2020 Niro EV model years are now able to pay a flat fee of $0.35 per minute. According to Electrify America, the program has no subscription fees and also does away with session fees.
One of the few major electric vehicles that can charge at 100 kilowatts is the Niro EV (albeit only for a very small portion of its fast-charge curve). On the Electrify America network, such charge rate typically costs $0.69 per minute plus a $1.00 session fee. Additionally, Electrify America offers a $4.00 monthly pass that brings the cost of charging down to $0.50 per minute.
Even that is expensive. According to Kiaso, even if it takes the Niro EV 54 minutes to charge to 80%, if you spend the most of the charge time at the EA hardware, you can still spend close to $20.
Niro EV owners must download the Electrify America app and go through a registration process in order to receive the discount. According to a press statement from Electrify America, the program will be “reevaluated” on December 31, 2020, after which it will end.
In order to invest $2 billion in infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles, Electrify America was established. Despite the association with VW, Electrify America has collaborated with a number of automakers to provide charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
For the 2020 model year, the Niro EV’s EPA range rating of 239 miles stays the same, but it has received improved infotainment screens and other minor updates. Additionally, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are offered for the Niro.
The second-generation Soul EV, Kia’s other electric vehicle for the US market, has been delayed.
The new Soul EV won’t make its appearance in the United States until at least 2021, as opposed to its initial arrival date of around spring 2019.
What electric vehicle has the fastest charging time?
5 Fastest Charging Electric Vehicles
- Luddite Air twenty miles per hour. If you haven’t seen a Lucid Air on the road yet, you most likely will in the near future.
- 15.5 miles per hour Porsche Taycan.
- 315 miles per hour for the Tesla Model.
- Kia EV614.
- five miles per hour.
- 513 Hyundai Ioniq.
- four miles per hour.
Parallel Hybrid System
The advanced Full Parallel Hybrid System in the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is largely responsible for the vehicle’s ground-breaking economy and dynamic performance. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid offers a 26-mile all-electric range rating** along with up to 46 combined MPG** by combining a hybrid-optimized Atkinson cycle engine with a highly efficient electric motor. The car uses regenerative braking to store kinetic energy for battery recharging. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid offers a sporty ride not found in its rivals thanks to a highly responsive, smooth-shifting dual-clutch automatic gearbox (DCT), in contrast to other hybrids that typically provide a continuous variable transmission (CVT). Even better, it qualifies for federal and tax rebates***, as well as a High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) decal in several jurisdictions.
Hybrid Technology and Charging Capabilities
Directly in front of the driver is a Supervision Instrument Cluster with a 4.2-inch TFT LCD screen that makes it simple to see critical vehicle data like speed, fuel, and distance in a flash. It is situated between recessed gauges. Thanks to Kia’s UVO connection system, you may communicate with your Niro Plug-In Hybrid directly from your smartphone. Utilize features like Off-Peak Charge Scheduling to schedule charging during off-peak electricity hours or Find Charging Stations to locate charging stations while you’re on the go in order to maximize your savings. Before you get to your car, you’ll be able to lock and unlock doors, turn on your engine, and regulate the temperature inside with heated accessories or air conditioning.
The Niro Plug-In Hybrid offers drivers a variety of charging choices. For convenient overnight charging, its high-capacity battery system recharges in less than 2.5 hours using a 240V power outlet and in less than 9 hours using a typical domestic electrical outlet. To find the closest charging station, you may even utilize the voice-command navigation system that is available and offers turn-by-turn directions.
Driver-Centric Interior
The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid has an interior that is filled with thoughtfully designed comfort and convenience features, which is the ideal companion to its attractive outward appearance. A 60/40 split folding rear seat is designed to allow you to make the most of every square inch of inside space and provide you complete freedom when setting up your cargo. You may discover your ideal seating position using the available 10-way power driver’s seat, and the Integrated Memory Seat (IMS) technology will allow you to maintain it. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has logical standard equipment like an auto-dimming rearview mirror and dual-zone air conditioning. Bright contrast stitching that is an option for leather seats offers the interior a unique touch.
Can you use a Tesla charger to charge a Kia Niro?
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 is a Kia Niro PHEV charged?
The plug-in hybrid version of Kia’s small crossover is called the Niro. Practicality and a reputation for being family-friendly are advantages, and this vehicle is a contender for a cheap family company because it has sufficient electric range for most commutes and the comfort of a gasoline backup for lengthy trips. Before switching to the acclaimed full electric version when you’re ready.
Charging time for a Kia Niro
The anticipated time it will take to charge your Niro from empty to full is shown in the table below. Since charging tends to slow down outside of this range to protect the battery, we only provide the time to charge for rapid charging from 20 to 80 percent.
Where you can charge a Kia Niro
Your Kia Niro may be conveniently charged at home, plugged in when you get to work, or topped off (often for free!) while you’re out and about in places like supermarkets and public parking lots.
How long does the battery in a Kia Niro PHEV last?
Batteries for Kia Niro vehicles typically last 3-5 years, however this varies based on the battery type, driving style, environmental factors, and other factors.
The Kia Niro PHEV can it be charged while in motion?
The vehicle is propelled by the power of the engine. While the car is being driven, the battery is also being charged by the engine. The engine’s power is used to charge the battery while the car is in idle mode.
Are electric car charges free?
The transition from a conventional car to one that operates on electricity may need the largest adjustment. Instead of refueling, you will be charging your vehicle at a public charging station or using the main energy supply in your home.
You can learn the following things on this page:
- Typical costs involved with charging an EV
- New Zealand’s infrastructure for charging stations
- various methods of charging
Have one already, or are you planning to acquire one? Ask us about the cost of EV charging.
Take charge
In New Zealand, we’re so accustomed to stopping at gas stations that switching to an EV vehicle can seem unusual. In comparison to refueling a conventional vehicle, starting an electric vehicle is more like charging a smartphone.
When driving a conventional vehicle, we frequently monitor the fuel gauge to ensure that we don’t run out of fuel or stray too far from a gas station. Given that charging at home is one of the most economical ways to operate your EV, an owner may only need to take this into account on lengthy road trips.
It can be a little difficult to see that price per litre as you get closer to the gas station. Right now, we’re paying some of the highest gas prices in our country’s history. Although the cost of gasoline varies, it almost never falls below $2 per litre. Assuming $0.15 for an off-peak kilowatt hour, EV charging costs about $0.30 per equivalent litre (better reflected as range). Any variations will depend on the type of plan you have with your power provider.
Running costs for EVs are significantly lower than those for conventional vehicles when charging during the night when everyone is asleep and power is typically cheaper.
Public charging stations in New Zealand
Charging stations are being erected all throughout New Zealand to manage the rise in the number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the country’s roadways. The majority of significant gasoline retailers have built EV chargers and designated areas for owners to refuel. However, you can also find EV charging stations in campers, tourist attractions, beaches, malls, and grocery stores.
Although chargers are already dispersed across the nation, they are still less common than gas stations. Before embarking on a lengthy journey, we advise finding out where these charging stations are. There is an interactive map available on websites like PlugShare (which also has an app) and Drive Electric so you can view the locations of known EV chargers.
Using a public EV charger
While compared to charging at home, the process is typically fairly quick when utilizing a paid charging station. With just 20 to 30 minutes of charging, you may expect a driving range of roughly 100 kilometres. Naturally, this takes a lot longer than filling up with gasoline, so if you’re weighing the benefits and drawbacks of an EV, you need take this into account. Depending on the charging station and your EV, getting this 100 km on rapid charge could cost roughly $10.
How then do you utilize the charger? The majority of fast charging stations will already have the common charging cables and plugs for use by EV owners. Simply connect the cable to your device’s charging port, pay at the station, and you’re ready to go. A registered account can be used to make payments easily at some of these stations thanks to applications and other capabilities. Do your homework beforehand, please. To use these chargers, you can pay as you go and are not required to register an account. You can add another 100 kilometers to your range by using a public rapid charge 20 to 30 minutes later.
Quick Tip: Avoid using public fast chargers all the time. If you use them too often, the battery will start to wear out.
In addition to these quick payment outlets, there are free ones all around New Zealand. These could be slower and crowded in tourist areas, where other people might charge in front of you. Although the infrastructure is growing, EV top-ups still lag behind gasoline and diesel in terms of convenience and speed.
You should carry the cables that came with your EV because the free stations might not have them. Expect a few hours to pass while charging. If you charge while going shopping or engaging in family activities, this is typically not a problem.
Quick Tip: Use a free charger while scheduling an activity for a few hours, such as going to a mall.
Standard plug
The majority of EV owners charge their vehicles at home. With the proper safety measures, you can accomplish this outside or within your garage. When you buy an electric vehicle, it will come with a charging cable that fits into the typical 3-pin NZ power socket. For overnight, ordinary charging, this is acceptable. You’ll have a fully charged automobile waiting for the day when you awaken.
If you need to charge someplace else while driving, such as at work, a different home, or a free charging port without cables, you should bring this portable cable with you. You might even think about getting a spare to keep at home and drive around with.
We advise hiring a certified electrician to inspect the wiring and plugs before you even consider buying an EV. Prior to that, they should all be completely safe and functional. Make sure your home is prepared to take the load because an EV is a very large battery that will be using electricity from the mains, maybe every day.
Additionally, ensure sure the portable charging cable you use is either the manufacturer’s standard type or has been expressly authorized for use with your car. Never use a non-NZ plug, even if it was converted to one by an international cable. Keep in mind that we operate on 230V, and any charger whose range does not include this voltage could cause safety problems.
Due to some significant advantages over the 3-pin connector, a wall unit for the home is frequently chosen as the preferred charging option. Let’s look at a few of these now.
Fast(er), safer charge at home
Wall-mounted units are a viable option if you want something safer, more intelligent, and speedier. Hire a licensed electrician to install these in your house (typically inside a garage). They still get their power from AC, so they don’t drain your battery as much as public fast chargers, but they can charge your device more quickly than a typical portable plug.
The ability to schedule when the car charges is another factor that leads EV owners to choose these wall-mounted chargers. Most will include a timer you may set to make sure you’re not charging a full battery unnecessarily. Some of these wall stations also have an app to track information such as battery status.
Comparatively stronger and safer than simply connecting into the 3-pin connector are wall units. The connection is shielded by a cover, which is crucial if your automobile is kept in a car port where temperature and weather are critical considerations. These devices frequently include safety attributes like surge protection and auto shut off.
The electrician who installs this wall unit should confirm that there is enough wiring in your house to support the appliance.
Fast(est) chargepossibly right for your business
A DC charging solution may be implemented for some power users who want to charge as quickly as the public charge stations at home or at work. To directly connect this sort of charger to the electricity mains, extensive electrical work is needed. Make sure your EV can accept DC charging, then decide if the expense is reasonable. A DC unit frequently makes sense for companies that have EV fleets.
Tips when charging an EV
Here are some practical suggestions for charging your electric car:
- Only sometimes utilize fast charging, if possible. A battery could be damaged by an excessive quick charge.
- It usually makes sense to charge at home overnight during off-peak hours.
- Keep your car as dry and in a mild climate as you can. Over time, the battery’s health may be impacted by extremely hot and cold temperatures.
- Make that the timer on your EV, wall unit, or both is set to stop charging after the battery is fully charged. It’s not good for battery life to leave your battery on charge for extended periods of time.
- Avoid leaving your electric vehicle (EV) with a low or empty battery for an extended length of time since this can shorten the battery’s lifespan or perhaps render it worthless.
- Learn as much as you can about your car and the recommended charging methods from the manufacturer. Since every EV is unique, you should make every effort to maximize its lifespan.