Kia Makes EV Charging Effortless with Plug & Charge Technology
Kia is taking a major step forward in making electric vehicle (EV) ownership more seamless and intuitive. On September 25, 2025, Kia America announced the upcoming launch of Plug & Charge, a new feature designed to simplify the public charging experience for its EV drivers. With Plug & Charge, charging your Kia EV will be as easy as plugging in your phone.
What Is Plug & Charge?
Plug & Charge is a technology that allows eligible Kia EV drivers to start a charging session and handle payment automatically at compatible charging stations. Gone are the days of fumbling with multiple apps, RFID cards, or manual payment steps at the charger. Once activated through the Kia Access2 app, your vehicle and the charging station authenticate each other automatically, initiate charging, and process payment securely in the background via Kia Charge Pass.
Availability
- 2025 Kia EV6: Feature available by the end of September 2025
- 2026 Kia EV9: Feature rolling out in Q4 2025
Current owners will receive communications directly from Kia when the feature is ready for their vehicles.
Key Benefits
1. Seamless Charging Experience
Drivers simply plug in their EV, and the system handles the rest. No apps, no scanning cards, no extra steps—just pure convenience.
2. Secure Authentication
The system verifies the identity of the vehicle at the charging station, ensuring that only authorized vehicles can access the charging session.
3. Automatic Payment
Billing is securely processed through the payment method linked to the driver’s account, making the process completely hands-free.
Building a Connected EV Ecosystem
Plug & Charge is part of Kia’s Kia Connect suite of services, reflecting the company’s mission to innovate around connected mobility and sustainable transportation. By integrating vehicle software, mobile services, and charging infrastructure, Kia is creating a more natural EV ownership experience—one that feels more like using a smartphone than a traditional car.
According to Sujith Somasekharan, Connected Car & Mobility Director at Kia America:
“With Plug & Charge, we’re making the EV experience more user-friendly than ever. Our goal is to make electrified mobility effortless, secure, and connected – and this technology brings us one step closer to that reality.”
Kia’s Plug & Charge represents more than just convenience—it’s a glimpse into the future of human-centric mobility, where technology simplifies everyday tasks and makes sustainable transportation more accessible.
Final Thoughts
As EV adoption continues to grow, frictionless charging solutions like Kia’s Plug & Charge will play a critical role in shaping the driver experience. By eliminating the hassle of manual authentication and payment, Kia is redefining what it means to own an EV—making it smarter, easier, and more connected than ever before.
For Kia EV drivers, the future of charging is here: plug in, and let technology do the rest.
