Kia’s electric vehicle (EV) customers will no longer have to worry about charging on long trips. The automaker has officially opened up access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network for its electric vehicles. The move, after a four-month delay, gives Kia EV owners access to one of the most reliable and widespread fast-charging networks in the U.S.
Tesla’s Supercharger network offers more than 21,500 DC fast-charging ports in the U.S., making it much less likely to find a dispenser that’s down or broken. While non-Tesla networks like Electrify America and EVGO are also improving reliability, Tesla’s infrastructure is still at the forefront. Kia EV owners can now use this network, effectively doubling the range of their charging options.
The 2025 and 2026 model EV6 and EV9 vehicles will come with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports from the factory. However, owners of the Niro EV and older model EV6 and EV9 will be able to plug into Tesla Superchargers using a NACS-to-CCS adapter. This adapter integration will allow owners of older models to also take advantage of Tesla’s charging network.
Kia owners can use the vehicle’s infotainment screens or the Kia smartphone app to find and navigate to Tesla Superchargers. These platforms display charger availability, status, and pricing information. Enrollment in the Tesla Charging Program is required, but it’s easily accessible via the app. This user-friendly approach makes the charging experience even smoother.
Before this partnership with Tesla, Kia owners had access to approximately 22,000 public fast-charging stations nationwide. With the addition of Tesla’s more than 21,500 ports, the total number of ports available is more than 40,000. This makes road trips easier and more convenient for Kia drivers, especially on long-distance trips.
Tesla Superchargers are a critical infrastructure for electric vehicle customers. Kia America strongly condemns recent attacks that disrupt the availability of convenient and affordable charging,” Kia said in a statement. This move reinforces Kia’s commitment to electric mobility and allows customers to take to the road with more confidence.