Kia EV6 Buyers to Get 1,000 kWh of Free Charging in a New Partnership With Electrify America

author: Eric Walz   

Automaker Kia and electric vehicle charging provider Electrify America have announced a partnership that will give EV6 buyers 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of complimentary EV charging/energy at any Electrify America station in the U.S.  

According to Kia, the agreement between the two companies will provide EV6 drivers around 3,500 to 4,000 miles of all-electric driving at no cost, depending on the vehicle model and various driving conditions.

Kia customers can access the complimentary chargers using the Electrify America mobile app. Customers will receive an enrollment code to sign up for the free charging through the owner's portal or the Kia Access App after the EV6 owner enrolls into Kia Connect, the in-car telematics system.

Electrify America's DC charging network is now the largest in the country, allowing high-speed charging of up to 350 kilowatts (kW) for vehicles that accept the higher charging rates. 

"Kia is undergoing a pivotal shift to electrification and the all-new EV6 is the first major step in that direction, underpinned by the company's advanced E-GMP platform," said Steve Center, COO and EVP, Kia America. "Partnering with Electrify America will enable our customers to enjoy a superior charging experience coupled with the outstanding all-electric range of the EV6."

The EV6 comes with a 77.4 kWh high-density lithium-ion battery delivering an EPA-rated range of  up to 310 miles. 

The EV6 also has the world's first patented multi-charging system that supports both 400 volt and 800 volt DC charging. The 800 volt architecture of the EV6 includes ultra-fast DC charging capability, which can charge the EV6's battery to 80% in about 18 minutes and accepts charging rates ranging from 50kW to 350kW. 

With 800 volt DC fast charging from a 350-kW charger, it can add around 70 miles of range in less than 5 minutes and up to 217 miles in under 18 minutes.

"Our collaboration with Kia is an excellent example of how automakers are helping customers make the transition to an electric lifestyle easy for new EV customers," "said Giovanni Palazzo, president and chief executive officer of Electrify America. "We are entering an exciting time in delivering personal transportation options to consumers and Electrify America is dedicated to making the switch to zero emission vehicles seamless with convenient and reliable charging options."

Kia EV6 owners will have three years from the date of purchase to use the 1,000 kWh of complimentary charging. 

Electrify America also provides complimentary charging to other automakers, including BMW, Mercedes Benz, Polestar, and EV startup Lucid. 

Earlier this month, BMW announced a partnership with Electrify America that provides two years of complimentary charging sessions to buyers of BMW's new lineup of electric vehicles. The complimentary charging begins on the date of purchase.

The EV charging program will launch with the sale of BMW's all-new iX xDrive50, BMW i4 eDrive40 and BMW i4 M50 electric vehicles. BMW customers will have access to complimentary charging at more than 3,000 Electrify America chargers across the U.S. 

Polestar customers also receive two years of free DC fast charging sessions from Electrify America. The free charging sessions are being provided to all Polestar 2 owners, even those that have already purchased their vehicles or are still waiting to take delivery. Each free charging session will be good for 30 minutes, which is enough to provide a Polestar 2 with an optimal amount of charge, according to Polestar. 

In Nov 2021, Electrify America announced the opening of one of its largest U.S. EV charging stations in the San Francisco Bay Area. The station, which is located at the Westfield Valley Fair shopping Mall in Santa Clara, Calif., features 14 ultra-fast chargers with solar-powered canopies. It was the 200th ultra-fast EV charging station opened by the company.

Electrify America was formed by Volkswagen as part of its restitution for the dieselgate scandal in which the automakers admitted to tampering with emission control devices in its diesel-powered cars. The company also works to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S.

Over a ten year period ending in 2027, Electrify America is investing $2 billion in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure and education programs in the U.S.  Of this amount, $1.2 billion will be invested nationwide, while the remaining $800 million will be invested in California, the state with the highest number of EV sales in the country. 

Electrify America is focused on building a "future proof" network consisting almost exclusively of newer ultra-fast chargers, which are poised to become the industry standard as more EVs come with rapid charging capability.

Kia's parent Hyundai Motor Co aims to be one of the world's top three manufacturers of EVs. The company's goal is to sell 1 million electric vehicles each year to take a 10% share of global electric vehicle sales to become a leader in the market by 2026.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.