Kia is launching its cutting-edge Plug&Charge technology for electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe. The EV9 will be the first to feature this technology, with plans to extend its availability to other upcoming Kia EV models.
Why It Matters
With Plug&Charge, Kia solidifies its position in Europe’s competitive EV market by providing customers an effortless charging experience. As the transition to sustainable mobility gains momentum, ease of charging is paramount, and Kia is striving to lead the way.
Key Points
- Seamless Charging: Kia’s Plug&Charge allows users to directly connect their EVs to compatible public charging stations, bypassing any intermediate authentication steps.
- Automatic Authentication: This technology uses an integrated identification system, facilitating communication between the vehicle and the charging station. This eliminates the prior need for manual verifications like RFID cards or mobile apps such as Kia Charge.
- Enhanced Security: Plug&Charge operates on an exchange of digital certificates between the car and charger, identifying the customer’s Kia Charge account. This secure exchange is overseen by the Hubject Plug&Charge ecosystem and adheres to the international ISO 15118 standard.
- Retained Kia Charge App Benefits: Despite the streamlined charging process, users will still benefit from the Kia Charge app’s features, including navigation, real-time charging updates, and various filter options.
Bottom Line
Kia’s Plug&Charge technology represents a significant step forward in providing a hassle-free and efficient charging experience for EV users. As Sjoerd Knipping, Vice President of Marketing and Product at Kia Europe, puts it, Kia is actively leveraging available technologies, in collaboration with partners like DCS, Hubject, and IONITY, to enhance the overall customer experience. This innovative charging solution complements Kia’s existing advanced charging systems like Kia Connect and Kia Charge.
