Kia EV Owners Just Got Access To Tesla Supercharger Stations Overnight

The wait is finally over for Kia electric vehicle drivers in the United States. As of April 24, 2025, owners of the Kia EV6, EV9, and Niro EV have officially gained access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. This move nearly doubles the number of reliable fast chargers available to owners nationwide.

Kia

Kia is a South Korean automaker headquartered in Seoul. It was originally founded in 1944 as a bicycle manufacturer which later built small motorcycles, and Mazda-licensed trucks and cars. After building an assembly plant in th early 70s, the company also produced the Bisa range of cars until 1981 before coming to a half due to the political situation at the time. Production kicked off again in 1986 in partnership with Ford, and in 1992 the company started sellling cars in North America. Today it is the second-largest automaker in South Korea, right behind Hyundai.

Founded: June 9, 1944 (as Kyungsung Precision Industry)
Founder: Kim Cheol-ho
Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Owned By: Hyundai Motor Group
Current CEO: Ho Sung Song

Before this, Kia relied on approximately 22,000 fast chargers from various networks like Electrify America and EVgo. Adding Tesla’s network brings over 21,500 additional ports online for Kia users. Access to the Supercharger network, which is known for its reliability and widespread coverage, will reduce range anxiety and make long-distance travel more convenient for Kia’s EV customers.

Adapters Arriving, Native Ports Coming

Connecting Kia vehicles to the Tesla network requires specific hardware, depending on the model year. Kia has confirmed its official first-party NACS-to-CCS adapters are now shipping to dealerships. Owners who purchased a 2024 or 2025 model year EV6 or EV9 after September 4, 2024, are eligible for a free adapter. They should receive a notification through the Kia Connect app soon to claim their device.

For other owners of CCS-equipped Kia EVs, the adapter will be available for purchase from dealers for $249. Kia stated that “definitive instructions” on proper usage will accompany each adapter. This is likely in response to instances of owners finding unofficial ways to access the Tesla charging network before the official green light. Going forward, Kia is integrating the NACS port directly into its vehicles.

The upcoming 2025 model year Kia EV6 and the 2026 model year EV9 will come with the NACS port standard. This contrasts slightly with its sister company, Hyundai, whose 2025 Ioniq 5 models with native NACS ports are already reaching dealerships.

Genesis and Hyundai Offering Free NACS Adapters To EV Owners

Owners of basically any electric Hyundai or Genesis will be eligible.

Owners can locate available Supercharger stations, check availability, view pricing, and navigate to them using either the vehicle’s infotainment system or the Kia Access smartphone application. Enrollment in the charging program is managed through the Kia Charge Pass within the app.

Finally Plugged In After Delays and Workarounds

This official access marks the end of a somewhat extended rollout period. Kia’s Supercharger access was initially expected earlier this year. During the wait, some Kia owners discovered “loopholes” to use the Supercharger network. These workarounds were inconsistent, sometimes quickly shut down by Tesla or Kia, and occasionally resulted in very limited charging speeds.

Kia now joins numerous other brands whose owners can utilize the Supercharger network, including Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Volvo, Polestar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Lucid, Hyundai, and Genesis. Nine more brands, including BMW, Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus, Subaru, and the Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche), are expected to soon gain access. While it may have been somewhat presumptuous for Tesla to call its connector the North American Charging System, it has truly supplanted the Combined Charging System (CCS) as the go-to option for EVs in the US.