Kia Launches KiaCharge Across The UK
In light of more people making the switch to something electric, Kia have revealed their new public charging access network, connecting over 13,900 charging points across the country.
Here’s everything you need to know...
What’s KiaCharge?
KiaCharge will offer completely convenient public charging access for Kia battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) owners, all from one single account.
From the moment you sign up, KiaCharge gives access to several major charging networks found across Britain. These include bp pulse, Pod Point, IONITY, Source London, Chargepoint, NewMotion, Char-gy, and ESB.
Several other networks, including certain regional services, are also available. In addition, there’s even plans to further expand KiaCharge coverage throughout this year.
Will I find KiaCharge helpful?
Definitely. Being able to access these networks through one single account within a simple app on your phone, alleviates drivers from having to sign up to several separate accounts across multiple charging point operators.
KiaCharge gives access to more than 1,300 rapid public charging points, providing charging speeds above 50kW. For Kia e-Niro owners, this could mean juicing up your car from 0-80% charge in as little as 50 minutes.
If you’d like to discover more about the Kia e-Niro, click here.
Found at most public hot spots - especially supermarket carparks - rapid chargers let Kia e-Niro and Soul EV owners make the most of their car’s capabilities.
With the ability to get a quick charge wherever you go, owning a Kia EV has never been easier and more convenient.
Is KiaCharge available to me if I take my Kia BEV/PHEV on holiday?
Yes! Created in partnership with Digital Charging Solutions (DCS), the KiaCharge enables zero-emission continental travel.
Thanks to eRoaming, Kia EV drivers can access more than 178,000 additional charging points across 28 other European countries - without needing additional contracts.
Is KiaCharge simple to use?
It’s easy to use the KiaCharge service. Electric Kia vehicle owners can access KiaCharge via a smartphone app or radio-frequency identification (RFID) card.
Instead of numerous individual transactions, you pay one itemised invoice each month.
Paul Philpott, President & CEO of Kia Motors (UK) Limited, commented on how simple and convenient KiaCharge is intended to be: ‘The availability and suitability of public charge points remains a perceived hurdle for many would-be electric car buyers.
‘KiaCharge seeks to remedy this by providing a comprehensive, easy-to-use public charging service for our customers, accessible from a single account.
‘This is a major step for Kia as we look for new ways to make EV ownership a more viable and stress-free option for many more drivers.’
What’s the app like?
When using the KiaCharge app, you can see real-time information about the charging points within the network. This includes:
- Pricing
- Availability
- Technical information, such as the type of plug available and their charging speed.
There’s even filters to help you narrow down what’s available and useful to you and your EV.
You can also dial the relevant charging point operator’s helpline directly from the app, in case they need assistance, as well as use the app’s map to plan your route to any charging point location you choose.
This links nicely to your Kia’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems.
How does payment work?
If you’re a Kia BEV or PHEV owner, choose one from two fully flexible tariff options – ‘Easy’ or ‘Plus’.
These are there to fit your lifestyle and budget.
Both tariffs are designed to make charging convenient, efficient and simple, offering easy payment and a single, straightforward monthly bill.
Easy
The ‘Easy’ tariff is ideal for those that don’t use public charging points that often. It includes just a one-off £1.99 charge to access the service and obtain their KiaCharge RFID card.
With no monthly subscription fees, most charging stations instead require a £0.49 ‘session fee’ when you plug in (except chargers on the bp pulse and Pod Point networks).
You then just pay per kWh of electricity you use.
Plus
The ‘Plus’ tariff is the ideal option for those who rely more heavily on public charging.
You simply pay a £2.99 monthly tariff, with no up-front charge or session fees.
Like the ‘Easy’ tariff, users also pay per kWh, but earn an additional 15 per cent discount per kWh from most networks (except bp pulse, Pod Point and IONITY).
Every user can also add a new or existing bp pulse bolt-on subscription to their KiaCharge account, costing an additional £7.85 per month. This subscription provides users with a discount of up to 40 per cent when charging within the bp pulse network of nearly 7,000 chargers, compared to the ‘instant’ charging rate.
KiaCharge tariffs are fully flexible; users can switch between them with only one month’s notice.
If you’d like to sign up for the new KiaCharge service, just download the KiaCharge app or visit www.kiacharge.com.
If you’re thinking of making the switch and would like to find out more about hybrid cars and electric vehicles, click the link below: