Advice

How to Charge a Kia EV6

By 10/10/2023 4:00pm

A Kia EV6 connected to a charging cable

Quick Facts About Charging a Kia EV6 
  • The long-range Kia EV6 can drive an estimated 310 miles on a full battery charge.
  • Kia EV6 owners can receive 1,000 kWh of free charging through Electrify America over three years, equivalent to approximately 4,000 miles of driving. 
  • At-home charging cables are not included with a new EV6 and must be purchased separately.

Introduced in 2021, the Kia EV6 is an all-electric, compact crossover SUV. It is the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) Kia has manufactured. Mile range and battery capacities may vary depending on your choice, but charging options and methods remain consistent across the lineup. Read on to learn all about charging a Kia EV6. We’ll tell you about:

Kia EV6 Range

According to the EPA, the Kia EV6 can drive up to 310 miles on a full battery charge. It has a combined MPGe of up to 117. Depending on which trim you choose, those economy figures will vary. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) basic Light trim level offers a 58.0 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, while all others have a 77.4 kWh battery. 

EV6 Charging Times

The EV6 is one of the fastest-charging electric cars on the market today. With a Level 3 charger, it can power up to 80% in less than 20 minutes. 

Level 3 DC Fast Charging

An 800-volt DC fast charging station with a 350-kilowatt charger can boost the battery with up to 217 miles of range in as little as 18 minutes. If you’re short on time, these Level 3 DC fast charging stations can add approximately 70 miles of range in under five minutes. 

Level 2

At this level, charging can raise the 77.4 kWh battery from 10% to 100% in just over seven hours. This estimate is based on a 240-volt outlet and a 40-amp circuit. 

Level 1

Level 1 charging using a standard household outlet will take significantly longer and only boost the battery by small amounts, even when plugged in overnight.  

How Long Will It Take to Charge a Kia EV6?

  • A standard household outlet, or 3-prong plug (120-volt), will add about nine miles of range per hour and take an average of 34 hours to go from empty to full. 
  • A 3.6-kilowatt (kW) connection will add about 14 miles of range per hour and take an average of 21 hours to go from empty to full.  
  • A 7kW connection will add about 27 miles of range per hour and take roughly 11 hours to go from empty to full.  
  • A 22kW connection will add about 42 miles of range per hour and take approximately 7 hours to go from empty to full. 
  • A 50kW fast-charge connection can add up to 95 miles of range in 30 minutes and will take about an hour to go from 20% to 80%. 
  • A 150kW fast-charge connection can add up to 284 miles of range in 30 minutes and will take roughly 20 minutes to go from 20% to 80%.  

Charging Cables

Unlike other popular EVs, a charging cable is not included when you purchase a new EV6. You will need to buy it separately in order to charge your vehicle at home. Level 1 (120-volt) and Level 2 (240-volt) CCS charging cables may be an add-on option through the dealer at the point of sale, but they’ll likely have high markups and inflated retail pricing. Consider purchasing from a trusted online seller for lower-cost options. 

The EV6 comes equipped with smart features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that connect to an app on your smartphone. You can schedule charging, check the battery status, and set reminders to make your charging routine more seamless. 

Note: Check with your local utility provider and see if rebates are available for purchasing an EV charger. Many local electric companies offer incentives and rebates for setting up a residential charging station. 

Does the EV6 Come With Free Charging?

Yes, the Kia EV6 comes with free charging incentives. Owners can receive 1,000 kWh of free charging through Electrify America over a period of three years. A thousand kilowatt-hours equates to roughly 4,000 miles of driving. 

Electrify America is one of the largest fast-charging station companies in the United States. It has over 700 locations nationwide with CCS, CHAdeMO, and J1772 connectors to accommodate various EV makes and models. 

You can enroll in this program through the Kia Connect and the Electrify America mobile apps. 

How Much Does it Cost to Charge an EV6?

The EPA estimates the annual cost to charge an EV6 is between $600 and $800. The standard-range RWD models will cost less to charge than the long-range AWD versions. 

How to Charge an EV6

2022 Kia EV6 charging at night

As with any electric car, you’ll find several options for charging an EV6 at home and on the road. A Level 2 residential charging setup requires a dedicated outlet and electrical circuit for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). When you’re away from home, EV charging stations will have a CCS connector for general use.  

At-Home Charging

  • Level 1 charging cables are designed to plug into a standard 120-volt electrical outlet. This connection provides a slow “trickle” charge and will only boost your battery by small amounts, even when plugged in overnight. It will take multiple days to fill a low battery connected to a Level 1 charger. Although not recommended, it’s possible to use this as your primary charging method, depending on your driving habits. 
  • Level 2 charging uses a 240-volt outlet for a connection up to nine times faster than a Level 1 plug. This is the recommended way to charge an EV6 at home. A licensed electrician will be required to hardwire the outlet if you don’t already have EVSE installed. 
  • Renters and drivers living in multi-unit dwellings could experience trouble establishing this charging station at home. Many apartment complexes are installing charging stations for residents as EVs become more common in these residential spaces. Consult your property manager or landlord for more guidance. 

Public Charging

  • Level 2 public chargers are generally easy to locate in shopping centers, grocery store parking lots, office parks, and more. The Kia Connect mobile app can also help you locate a public charging station in your area. These chargers are usually equipped with different connector types to accommodate various EVs, including the EV6, which uses a CCS inlet port. 
  • Level 3 DC fast chargers are widely accessible around the country. They feed a direct current of electricity to your battery for a speedy boost. These charging stations are great for road trips and long-haul drives. 

Where to Charge

Since the Kia EV6 does not come with a charger at the point of purchase, you’ll need to buy one separately to charge the vehicle at home. At-home charging with a Level 2 connection is the most convenient way for EV owners to keep their batteries full and ready for the road. 

If you don’t want to purchase a charging cable, or if you live in a building with limited or restricted access to EVSE connectivity, plan to top off your battery as needed at public charging stations. These are plentiful in bigger cities and continue to pop up in smaller towns and rural areas. Shopping centers, hotels, office parks, and grocery stores are great places to find one.

Kia Charging Stations

Kia does not operate a proprietary charging network. However, EV6 drivers can access other charging stations from companies like EVgo, ChargePoint, and Electrify America. Owners can now also recharge at Tesla charging stations that accept non-Tesla EVs. To find the closest charging station, tap into the vehicle’s infotainment system and let the navigation system locate one along your route. 

Does the EV6 Come with a Charger?

No. The Kia EV6 does not come with a charger. Owners must purchase a charging cable separately to use at home if this is their preferred charging method. Pricing will vary across retailers and cable types.