Kia EV owners will soon have the opportunity to charge their vehicles at Tesla Supercharger stations as the automaker confirms its rollout plan for NACS (North American Charging Standard) adapters.
If you purchased a 2024 or 2025 Kia EV9 or a 2024 Kia EV6 after September 4, 2024, you’re in luck. Kia has confirmed that these customers will receive a free NACS (North American Charging Standard) adapter in early 2025. But for the rest of Kia’s EV lineup—including earlier EV6, EV9, and Niro EV models—the price for the adapter has yet to be revealed. It’s a small wrinkle in Kia’s otherwise promising plan, especially considering that Ford has offered free adapters to all of their existing EV customers.
For Kia EV owners, this access to Tesla’s Supercharger network is more than just convenience—it’s a game-changer. Tesla has built one of the largest and most reliable charging infrastructures in North America, with over 16,500 NACS DC fast chargers scattered across the country. This will vastly expand charging options for Kia EV drivers, who will now be able to take advantage of the speed and reliability of Tesla’s chargers.
Why Kia Isn’t Just Talking About Tesla
Interestingly, Kia’s announcement doesn’t focus solely on Tesla. Instead, the automaker emphasizes the number of NACS chargers available, suggesting they’re looking ahead to future infrastructure that might include more than just Tesla Superchargers. Kia is part of the Ionna North American fast-charging network, which promises to support both NACS and CCS charging standards. This move signals Kia’s broader commitment to ensuring EV drivers can charge their vehicles at more stations in the coming years, not just Tesla’s.
While sibling company Hyundai has already begun building Ioniq 5 models with NACS ports, Kia has remained tight-lipped about when its own models will get the built-in ports. For now, the NACS adapter will serve as the bridge for Kia EV owners to access Tesla’s chargers, but future models are likely to come with the port as standard.
NACS Adapters’ Future
The integration of Tesla’s NACS charging port and access to the Supercharger network is a massive step for Kia as it pushes further into the electric future. Whether you’ve already purchased a Kia EV or are considering making the switch, this development means more freedom and flexibility when it comes to charging. As Kia continues to adapt to the growing demand for EV infrastructure, one thing is clear: the road ahead for Kia EV owners just got a lot more exciting.
