Kia Installs India’s Fastest EV Charger In Kerala

Kia had introduced its first electric car, the Kia EV6, in the Indian market back in June 2022. The electric crossover comes with 350kW charging support and was showcased by the South Korean brand during the media drive. The fast charger is touted to be capable of topping up the 77.4kWh Lithium-ion battery pack from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, giving even smartphone fast chargers a run for their money. In comparison, Indian EV manufacturers like Tata Motors are currently running a 50kW fast charging network.

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The idea of a 350kW DC fast charger seemed impractical for a hot and humid country like India at first. Such a charger would generate a lot of heat and might need an effective cooling mechanism to prevent it from throttling. However, Kia seems to have thought it out and is looking forward to establishing a super fast charging infrastructure for its EVs in India.

It has now installed its most powerful 240kW charger at Incheon Kia in Kochi, Kerala. Also, it becomes the first car dealership to have the fastest EV charger in the country. This comes after it installed a 150kW fast charger in Gurugram in July 2022. It is evident that the company is taking one step at a time towards its ultimate goal of installing a 350kW charger in India. 

Myung-sik Sohn, Kia India Chief Sales Officer, said, “This is a significant milestone for us at Kia India as we continue strengthening our commitment to developing EV infrastructure in the country and contributing to India’s mobility growth story.” He further stated that the brand is in the process of installing more chargers at Kia dealerships across the country to reduce the charging time and range anxiety among its customers. Furthermore, it plans to set up 15 more 150kW fast chargers in 12 Indian cities.

While the Kia EV6 falls in the top end of the spectrum, Kia might introduce an affordable electric vehicle in the Indian market soon. It even plans to introduce an India-specific EV car by 2025. Additionally, the Hyundai Kona EV and the upcoming Hyundai IONIQ 5, from its sister brand Hyundai, will benefit from the fast EV charging stations set up by Kia.