The launch of the 2026 Kia EV9 has introduced significant enhancements, particularly the integration of a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. This development allows Kia EV9 owners to access over 21,500 Tesla Supercharger stations across the United States, aiming to alleviate range anxiety for long-distance travel. However, a recent charging experience highlighted some complexities associated with this upgrade.
During a week-long press loan of the EV9, I conducted a charging test at a Supercharger to evaluate its performance. The EV9 had already established a reputation as one of the fastest-charging electric vehicles (EVs) thanks to the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform, which also supports models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. The base model, equipped with a 76.1 kilowatt-hour battery, is capable of charging from 10% to 80% in approximately 20 minutes at a 350-kilowatt public fast-charging station.
The latest model features a larger 99.8 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 305 miles and charging from 10% to 80% in around 24 minutes. My test vehicle, a GT-Line AWD trim, was rated for a range of 280 miles.
Charging Experience at Tesla Supercharger
Upon arriving at a V4 Supercharger in Harrison, New York, I encountered unexpected issues while attempting to initiate charging. Unlike Tesla owners, who typically enjoy a straightforward plug-and-charge experience, other EV drivers must use the Tesla app to start the session. Although Kia had announced that its vehicles would receive plug-and-charge functionality by the end of 2023, my press loaner did not have this feature enabled.
After selecting the appropriate charging stall and attempting to start the session, I was met with a warning message indicating a “charging error.” Following the app’s instructions to try a different stall led to further complications, as the app continued to display initialization errors. Ultimately, I resolved the issue by restarting the vehicle, which allowed the charging process to commence.
I suspect these app glitches were linked to a recent outage of Amazon Web Services, which affected various platforms, including Tesla’s app. Reports from other EV owners echoed similar experiences during this outage, as noted in numerous posts on Reddit.
Once the charging began, the process was efficient. The EV9 charged at speeds reaching approximately 126 kilowatts shortly after initiating, maintaining this rate until it reached 80%. The total charging time was around 36 minutes, closely aligning with Kia’s advertised time of 34 minutes. Although the EV9 can theoretically charge faster, the V3 Tesla chargers do not support its maximum capabilities due to voltage limitations.
Assessing the NACS Integration
Overall, subsequent charging sessions at Tesla Superchargers with the EV9 were successful, suggesting that my initial experience may have been an outlier. Nevertheless, it raises concerns about the seamlessness of the NACS rollout. While the potential for improved charging access is significant, the current experience reveals that there are still challenges to address.
The integration of Tesla’s charging infrastructure with other manufacturers like Kia holds promise for expanding EV accessibility. Yet, the need for reliable cloud infrastructure is imperative to ensure drivers are not left stranded during critical charging moments.
The ongoing developments in EV technology and charging networks continue to evolve, and manufacturers must prioritize user experience to foster confidence among electric vehicle enthusiasts. As the market progresses, the hope remains that the transition to a more interconnected charging environment will ultimately benefit all EV users, paving the way for a more sustainable future.