Kia has announced it will gain access to more than 16,500 Tesla Superchargers in early 2025. The automaker says it will also provide free North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters to some EV6 and EV9 owners.
According to a press release from Kia America this morning, EV6 and EV9 owners will be able to use Tesla Superchargers starting on January 15, 2025, with the help of a NACS adapter.
Interstingly, the adapters will only be free for a certain segment of EV6 and EV9 owners. Kia says those who purchased a 2024 or 2025 Kia EV6 or EV9 after September 4, 2024, will receive a free NACS adapter. For customers who bought a Kia EV before this date, including the EV6, EV9, or Niro EV, the NACS adapter will be available for purchase at authorized Kia dealerships at a later date.
Kia expects to start delivering the free adapters in early 2025. Pricing has yet to be announced, but comparisons can be drawn from GM, which announced earlier this month it will be charging $225 for its NACS to CCS1 adapter.
Kia plans to release three different types of NACS adapters – NACS to CCS1, CCS1 to NACS, and J1772 to NACS.
“NACS to CCS1 allows existing Kia EVs to DC fast charge. The CCS1 coupler to NACS port enables NACS-equipped Kia EVs to charge on existing CCS DC chargers, while the J1772 to NACS adapter allows NACS-equipped Kia EVs to AC-charge on existing Level 2 chargers.”
Kia is also working on a software update that will allow EV owners to manage their charging experience through the Kia Access app. Once the update rolls out, which is also scheduled for early 2025, drivers will be able to search for available chargers, check their status, and pay for charging directly from the app or their vehicle’s infotainment system, eliminating the need for separate apps and simplifying payment procedures at Supercharger stations.
The press release this morning was from Kia America, and was specific to the US market. We have reached out to Kia Canada for clarification on the timeline for Supercharger access and the availability of NACS adapters north of the border. We will update this article when we get a response.
UPDATE Sept 25 11:45am PT: Kia Canada told us “plans are still being finalized for the Canadian market at this time.”
