Kia K-Charge Initiative Launched, Offers Access to Over 1,000 Charging Stations across India

Kia India has launched the K-Charge initiative, a major step towards reducing range anxiety and encouraging the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in India. With the integration of this novel feature into the 'MyKia' app, users can access a nationwide network of more than one thousand EV charging stations. It is important to note that the South Korean automaker is offering this service to non-Kia owners as well. Hardeep Singh Brar, National Head of Sales and Marketing – Kia India, said, "K-Charge is not just a convenience initiative for our customers but a step towards making sustainable mobility convenient and accessible for everyone. We strongly believe that the technology transition towards a complete EV future ought to be smooth, and the K-Charge, integrated into the 'MyKia' app, is a well-thought-out step in that direction. With this aim, we will continue our efforts towards expanding the charging network through the onboarding of new CPOs in the future. We are confident that seamless, user-friendly solutions like these will play a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in India."

Also Read: Hyundai, Kia Introduce Unique 'Uni Wheel' Drive System for Electric Vehicles

What is the Kia K-Charge Initiative?

The carmaker claims that as part of its K-Charge initiative, it teamed up with up to five charging point operators (CPOs): Statiq, ChargeZone, Relux Electric, Lion Charge, and E-Fill. This collaboration enables Kia to provide the locations of chargers in each CPO's network on the MyKia mobile application. Through the partnership, owners of Kia EV6 will be able to look up and find nearby charging stations, verify availability times, and pay for charging too. According to the firm, this is particularly important because it will eliminate the need for owners to search through the many applications of different CPOs and let them select options directly on the MyKia app.

The only electric vehicle in Kia India's current product lineup is the EV6. It was introduced back in June 2022 and is currently available for purchase at Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom). About 500 units of this flagship and the most expensive offering in Kia's Indian portfolio have been sold to date.

Kia EV6: Battery Pack and Performance

Regarding its specs, the most recent Kia EV6 has a 77.4kWh battery pack that provides an ARAI-certified driving range of up to 708-kilometre. The GT-Line version of the EV is offered in India with both RWD (rear-wheel drive) and AWD (all-wheel drive) choices. With the single motor setup, the vehicle churns out 229bhp of maximum power and 350Nm of peak torque. On the other hand, the more potent e-AWD variant can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds thanks to its dual motor configuration, which delivers 320bhp and 605Nm of torque.

Kia EV6: Features and Colour Options

Feature-wise, the 2023 Kia EV6 has two 12.3-inch curved screens, one for a touchscreen and the other for a digital instrument panel. It also includes a 14-speaker Meridian sound system and ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) features. Runway Red, Moonscape, Yacht Blue, Snow White Pearl, and Aurora Black Pearl are the five available exterior options for the electric SUV.

Also Read: Kia Sonet Facelift to Launch in India on December 14, Teaser Shows New Light Design

Kia EV6: Market Rivals

In the domestic market, Kia's EV6 faces competition from the likes of the MG 4 EV, the BMW i4, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge.