Good news for Kia EV owners: You can now charge at Tesla Superchargers again—without any workarounds or tricks.
After months of uncertainty, delays, and a brief loophole that was quickly shut down, Kia has officially joined the ranks of EV brands gaining access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. The transition to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) hasn’t exactly been smooth. Still, it looks like things are finally settling into place.
The Back-and-Forth Journey to NACS
Just about every major EV manufacturer has committed to adopting NACS, giving their drivers access to Tesla’s vast and reliable Supercharger network. Kia initially announced last September that its vehicles would be able to use Superchargers by January. But when January rolled around, Tesla quietly placed Kia on its “coming soon” list. Then Kia pushed the timeline back to spring.
In the meantime, Hyundai EVs—built on the same E-GMP platform as Kia’s—were able to charge at Superchargers starting earlier this year. Kia owners quickly found a loophole: By selecting “Hyundai Ioniq” in the Tesla app, they could successfully charge their vehicles. That little trick only lasted about a week before Tesla shut it down.
What’s Changed? How Kia Owners Are Charging Now
This time around, Kia drivers don’t need to pretend their car is a Hyundai. The Tesla app now recognizes Kia EVs, allowing direct access to Superchargers.
So far, this method has been confirmed to work for the EV9, while the EV6 owners have had mixed results. But given how things are progressing, it’s probably just a matter of time before all eligible Kia models are fully integrated.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- You’ll still need an NACS adapter.
- Kia has been distributing official adapters, but availability is spotty.
- Some owners are using third-party adapters as a workaround.
- If you’re waiting for a hassle-free solution, the 2025 Kia EV6 will come with a built-in NACS port.
What Kia Has to Say
Kia hasn’t made a big announcement yet, but with Supercharger access now working, an official confirmation seems inevitable.
Kia previously said Supercharger access would arrive in the latter half of Q1, and with Q1 wrapping up, they’re cutting it close. We reached out to Kia for an official statement and will update if they respond.
Update: Kia’s Official Response
Kia has now confirmed that NACS adapters are available for EV6 and EV9 owners who bought their vehicles after September 4, 2024. If your car is older, you can purchase an adapter from a Kia dealership. Kia also recommends using official adapters and says more details will be coming soon on Tesla’s website.
For now, Kia owners can enjoy Supercharger access—no hacks required. If you’ve tried it out, let us know how it’s working for you!
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