Kia America has announced plans to provide North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters for its electric vehicles (EVs), significantly expanding charging options for its EV buyers.

According to Kia, buyers who purchase and take delivery of 2024 or 2025 Kia EV9 or 2024 Kia EV6 models from September 4, 2024, onwards will receive a free NACS adapter. This offer aims to enhance the convenience of Kia’s EV owners by providing access to a broader network of charging stations.

The new adapters will allow Kia EV owners to utilize over 16,500 Tesla DC fast chargers across the United States (U.S.), significantly expanding the available DC charging points for Kia vehicles by more than 83%. This step is expected to greatly improve charging options for Kia buyers, making long-distance travel and everyday charging more accessible. 

Kia plans to offer three types of adapters. The NACS to CCS1 adapter will enable existing Kia EVs to use Tesla-branded DC fast chargers. The CCS1 to NACS adapter will allow NACS-equipped Kia EVs to charge on existing CCS DC chargers. Lastly, the J1772 to NACS adapter will enable NACS-equipped Kia EVs to charge on existing Level 2 AC chargers. 

The distribution of these adapters will start on January 15, 2025, and access to the expanded charging network is expected to be available on the same date. Existing owners of Kia EV6, EV9, and Niro EV models who took delivery before September 4, 2024, will have the option to purchase these adapters from authorized Kia dealers at a future date.

To further improve the charging experience, Kia plans to release a software update in early 2025. This update will integrate features into the Kia Access app, allowing users to locate and pay for charging services more easily.

Eric Watson, VP of Sales Operations at Kia America, expressed the importance of this move stating, “As a leader in electrified mobility, it’s important Kia provide our EV customers the best ownership experience possible, and offering NACS adapters is a great way to open up a vast number of charge points across North America.”

Following Hyundai Motor Group’s decision to adopt NACS port, this strategic move towards NACS adoption has gained momentum in the past year, with nearly every EV automaker following suit after initial announcements from Ford and GM.

While Kia and its parent company Hyundai are working on implementing native NACS ports in future EV models, the adapters serve as an interim solution for current and near-future EV owners.

The provision of NACS adapters is expected to significantly enhance the charging experience for Kia EV owners. With access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, Kia aims to address range anxiety and improve the overall ownership experience for its EV buyers.

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As the standardization of charging infrastructure becomes increasingly crucial, Kia’s adoption of NACS compatibility represents a major step towards a more unified and accessible EV charging ecosystem in North America.

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