Kia is boosting California’s existing network of 198 electric vehicle charging stations by adding 17 new DC fast chargers later this year ahead of the launch of its Soul EV.
The automaker, based in Irvine near Los Angeles, has partnered with Californian charging specialist Greenlots and some dealers in Northern and Southern California will be fitted with multiple level 2 240 volt chargers and ABB’s 50kW Terra 53 CJ DC fast charger which can charge the EV’s battery from drained to 80% in about 33 minutes.
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Dealership locations with available charging stations will be announced closer to the EV’s on-sale date later this year.
Through the Greenlots partnership, owners will be provided a ‘Kia ChargeUp Card’ giving them access to DC fast chargers via Greenlots’ SKY network system.
Partnerships have also been forged with Bosch, Leviton and Aerovironment to provide home charging options for owners as well as for Kia dealers. Recharging times vary from under five hours when plugged into a 240-volt outlet to about 24 hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard US domestic 120-volt outlet.
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