Kia is enhancing its electric vehicle (EV) offerings by launching smart charging and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) services in specific regions of Europe and the United States. This initiative is part of Hyundai Motor Group’s global strategy to advance Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) services.
In the Netherlands, Kia EV owners can now utilize the Kia Smart Charge app to optimize charging times based on fluctuating electricity rates, potentially reducing their energy costs. The app, compatible with all home chargers, coordinates data between the vehicle and energy supplier to charge during lower-rate periods. Later this year, Kia plans to introduce a Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) service, enabling customers to send surplus energy back to the grid.
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In the United States, starting February 28, Kia is rolling out its V2H service in seven states, including California, Washington, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois. This service allows the Kia EV9 to function as an emergency power source during outages and to store energy when electricity rates are low, discharging it back into the home during peak periods to help lower household energy costs.
Heung Soo Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the Global Strategy Office at Hyundai Motor Group, stated, “As part of Hyundai Motor Group’s global Vehicle-to-Everything initiative, Kia’s new energy services are designed to offer EV owners not only enhanced convenience but also significant benefits in terms of cost savings and energy management.” He added that by expanding the role of EVs beyond transportation, Kia aims to create “a more sustainable and connected future for our customers.”
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Kia is also collaborating with major utility companies in California to further develop its V2G program and plans to expand these services to additional regions and vehicles in the future.