Kia EV6 gains Plug & Charge capability
The 2025 Kia EV6 will be among the first models to offer the company’s new Plug & Charge technology. Kia America announced the feature as part of its Kia Connect suite of services, with availability beginning by the end of September 2025 for eligible EV6 vehicles. The system is designed to streamline the charging process by eliminating the need for physical cards, third-party applications, or manual authentication.
To use Plug & Charge, EV6 owners will activate the feature through the Kia Access app. Once enabled, the vehicle can be connected at compatible Plug & Charge stations, which automatically verify the vehicle’s identity, initiate charging, and process billing in the background. This functionality is intended to simplify public charging sessions, provided the owner has an active Kia Connect subscription, enrollment in the Kia Charge Pass program, and a default payment method set up.
Plug & Charge integration with the EV6 reflects Kia’s larger commitment to developing connected services that combine in-vehicle software with mobile applications and infrastructure partnerships. The brand has positioned this feature as part of its goal to expand mobility technology that reduces friction in the electric vehicle ownership experience.
Charging access streamlined with Plug & Charge
Kia’s Plug & Charge technology is enabled through the Kia Access app, which links the vehicle to the driver’s Kia Connect subscription and Charge Pass account. Once activated, the system allows charging sessions to begin as soon as the cable is plugged into a compatible station, with payment processed automatically using the stored default method. This removes steps that typically require supplemental apps, cards, or logins.
The feature will become available in late 2025 for eligible Kia EV models, starting with the EV6 and EV9. It is only compatible with select charging stations that support Plug & Charge protocols. Kia advises owners to consult its official website for details on station availability. Owners will also receive communication when the service becomes operational for their specific vehicles.
By integrating Plug & Charge into Kia Charge Pass, the company is expanding the functionality of its connected mobility ecosystem. It is intended to create a charging experience that more closely resembles the simplicity of using a smartphone, providing secure vehicle authentication and automatic billing in one process.
Kia EV9 to adopt Plug & Charge in Q4 2025
The 2026 Kia EV9 will be the second model to gain access to Plug & Charge technology. Kia America has confirmed that the feature will roll out to eligible EV9 vehicles during the fourth quarter of 2025. Like the EV6, participation in the program requires an active Kia Connect subscription, enrollment in Kia Charge Pass, and a default payment method on file.
When Plug & Charge is active, drivers will be able to connect their EV9 at a compatible charging station and begin charging automatically. The authentication process is handled between the vehicle and station, while billing occurs in the background. This ensures that only authorized vehicles with active accounts can initiate a session.
The inclusion of Plug & Charge in the EV9 is part of Kia’s broader approach to delivering connected vehicle solutions. The company has stated that linking in-vehicle software with mobile services and infrastructure partnerships is central to its goal of creating a more seamless electric vehicle ownership experience.
Expanding connected services through Plug & Charge
Kia describes Plug & Charge as one element of its effort to build a larger connected mobility platform. By tying the technology into Kia Connect, the company is working toward an ecosystem where vehicles, applications, and infrastructure providers operate more cohesively. This approach is positioned as a way to make electric vehicle usage feel more integrated into daily routines.
The technology emphasizes secure authentication at the point of charging. Only vehicles with active Kia Connect accounts and participation in Kia Charge Pass are eligible, and charging is limited to stations that support the protocol. Kia notes that communications will be sent to current owners when the feature becomes available on their vehicles, ensuring clarity about eligibility and usage.
Beyond charging, Kia has stated that its connected initiatives are intended to reshape vehicles into mobility tools with broader digital integration. Plug & Charge reflects this goal by aiming to reduce barriers to charging and by aligning the process more closely with the convenience expected from other consumer technologies.
