Kia is enhancing the convenience of electric vehicle (EV) charging for drivers with its Kia Charge service, which now boasts over 800,000 charging points across 28 European countries—an impressive 39% increase from the previous year.
Launched in September 2021, Kia Charge serves as the automaker’s exclusive EV charging solution in Europe, providing a comprehensive service that includes route planning, authentication, and payment options all in one platform.
Martin Enthofer, Kia Europe’s director of customer experiences and solutions, emphasized the company’s commitment to making electric driving more accessible. “Kia continues to set the benchmark for making electric driving more accessible to a wider range of audience, with Kia Charge helping to simplify and enhance every journey,” he stated. The network’s recent growth comes shortly after it surpassed 700,000 chargers in April, highlighting the rapid expansion of Kia’s charging infrastructure.
Currently, Kia Charge has attracted over 100,000 subscribers, who have collectively completed more than 2.5 million charging sessions using the Kia Charge card or app.
Enthofer noted the importance of expanding charging infrastructure in tandem with the rising number of electric vehicles on the road. “As more electric vehicles take to the road, it’s important to match this uptake with an increasing number of charging points,” he remarked.
Kia has launched its charging service in 19 European countries, but customers can still access charging points in regions where the service has yet to be introduced. The rollout of the new EV3, priced at approximately $40,000 (36,000 euros), is expected to further accelerate Kia’s EV sales in Europe.
The automaker has dubbed the EV3 a “game changer” in its home market, and plans to introduce the EV4 electric sedan next year, targeting a price range of $35,000 to $40,000 to meet the demand for more affordable EV options.
In the U.S., Kia EV9 and EV6 drivers will gain access to Tesla’s Supercharger network starting January 15, 2025. Buyers who take delivery of a new 2024 or 2025 Kia EV9 or 2024 EV6 from September 4, 2024, will receive a free North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapter, while those who purchased earlier models will have the option to buy the adapter from a dealer at a later date.
