Kia electric vehicles can officially charge on Tesla’s Supercharger network, according to an April 24 press release.
Kia EV6, EV9 and Niro owners can now use an additional 21,500 vehicle charging stations, increasing charging station availability for Kia EV drivers by more than 80% and totaling access to more than 40,000 fast chargers, the company said.
Kia was originally set to join Tesla’s Supercharger network in January but was delayed due to unspecified “technical issues.”
“Expanding the network of available DC fast chargers to our EV customers is an important component to maintaining the brand’s leadership in electrified mobility,” Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon, president and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America, said in a statement. “Now, with access to the Tesla Supercharger network of DC fast chargers, our EV owners can feel even more confident in their decision to purchase or lease a fully electric Kia vehicle.”
Kia joins a long list of automakers granted access to Tesla’s fast-charging stations. Other EVs that can use the Supercharger network include those made by Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Rivian and Volvo. Honda will join the Supercharger network in June.
Most automakers offer adapters that their customers can purchase in order to use Tesla’s North American Charging Standard ports, but Kia said its 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 both feature NACS charging ports. Owners of current EV6, EV9 and Niro models can purchase adapters at Kia dealers, the company said, though any Kia drivers who purchased or leased their 2024 or 2025 EV9 or 2024 EV6 vehicles after Sept. 4, 2024 are eligible to receive free adapters.
By the end of the year, nearly all automakers will have access to the Supercharger network.
