It’s no secret that charging at many stations is a real hassle for EV owners, but Plug & Charge technology can help cut down on the confusion. Kia recently announced that the EV6 and EV9 would gain Plug & Charge functionality for models equipped with a Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) port by the end of this year, which should significantly improve the charging experience for owners.
Kia will push the technology to the EV6 first, with the rollout happening by the end of September. The EV9 will gain the feature by the end of 2025, though the rollout only affects the 2026 model with a NACS plug. Kia began installing the NACS plugs in the EV6 and EV9 this year, giving them a much wider range of charging options, but the move means they now need an adapter to connect to traditional chargers.
Plug & Charge does exactly what the name suggests. EV owners pull into a charging stall and plug in. Charging begins automatically, and the payment process happens without swiping a card. Kia said the process is secure and automated, making charging faster and more convenient. Owners must activate the feature through the Kia Access app, which includes adding a payment method, allowing the vehicle to authenticate with the charger and begin a session. The feature does require a subscription, though Kia didn’t any detail additional costs involved.
Joel Stocksdale
Kia views Plug & Charge as one part of a connected car ecosystem it’s developing with a goal of making EV ownership as easy and convenient as owning a gas vehicle or an electronic device like a smartphone. Many EVs offer the feature, including some from Kia’s sister company, Hyundai. It currently offers the technology for the Ioniq 5 and upcoming Ioniq 9, which both also have Tesla NACS ports from the factory in the newest models.
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