Kia electric vehicle owners, rejoice! Your days of longing for Tesla Supercharger stations are coming to an end. Kia has announced that they will be providing adapters to access Tesla Superchargers, eliminating the hassle of dealing with unresponsive credit card readers and slow charging speeds.
According to a Kia U.S. spokesperson, the adapters will be available for free to recent EV6 and EV9 owners, while those who purchased their vehicles before September 2024 will have the option to purchase them. The adapters are currently being shipped to dealers and will soon be accessible through the Kia Access smartphone app.
The rollout of the Kia adapters faced a slight delay but is now back on track. While the pricing has not been disclosed yet, it is expected to be affordable, with similar adapters for other vehicles costing around $200. Hyundai, Kia’s corporate cousin, is also offering the adapters for free.
The move to provide access to Tesla Superchargers is part of a broader industry shift towards adopting the Tesla NACS standard. This standardized charging system offers a more seamless and efficient charging experience compared to the traditional CCS plug. Many automakers, including Ford, have already embraced the NACS standard, paving the way for a more unified charging infrastructure.
In addition to the adapters, Kia will also transition to the NACS plug for their 2025 models. This switch will further streamline the charging process for Kia EV owners. Hyundai’s EVs, which share similar hardware, have shown no performance issues when using these adapters, ensuring a smooth charging experience.
With Kia’s commitment to providing access to Tesla Superchargers, EV owners can look forward to a more convenient and efficient charging experience. The adapters will soon be available, offering a seamless transition to the NACS standard. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in the world of electric vehicles.