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Kia America Rolls Out Plug & Charge: Easier, Smarter EV Charging Is Here

Kia America just made life a little easier for its EV customers. The brand announced that Plug & Charge—a new technology that eliminates the need for charging apps, RFID cards, or any extra steps at the plug—is coming soon to the U.S. lineup.

Integrated directly into Kia’s connected vehicle platform, Plug & Charge lets compatible EV6 and EV9 models authenticate themselves at charging stations and handle payment automatically in the background. In other words, you plug in, the car and charger shake hands digitally, and the juice starts flowing—no swiping, scanning, or fumbling with apps required.

“With Plug & Charge, we’re making the EV experience more user-friendly than ever,” said Sujith Somasekharan, Kia America’s Connected Car & Mobility Director. “Our goal is to make electrified mobility effortless, secure, and connected.”

Rolling Out This Year

The feature debuts first on 2025 Kia EV6 models by the end of September. Owners of eligible 2026 EV9s will get access in the fourth quarter of 2025. Kia says it will notify current owners once the service is live for their vehicles, so expect an over-the-air update or communication through the Kia Access app.

How It Works

Once drivers activate Plug & Charge through the Kia Access app, they simply pull up to a compatible charging station, connect the cable, and walk away. The car verifies its identity with the charger, initiates the session, and bills the linked payment method—all without driver input.

Key benefits include:

  • Seamless Charging: Just plug in and go—charging and payment start automatically.
  • Secure Authentication: The vehicle confirms its identity at the charger to prevent unauthorized use.
  • Automatic Payment: The driver’s stored payment info covers the session in the background.

A Smarter EV Ecosystem

Kia frames Plug & Charge as part of its broader Kia Connect suite of digital services, which tie together in-car software, mobile apps, and infrastructure partnerships. The idea is to make EV ownership feel less like managing a piece of tech and more like using one—think smartphone simplicity.

The company says this move is just the latest step in building out a frictionless EV ecosystem, one where cars function as connected mobility tools rather than just transportation. For owners, it means fewer headaches and one more way Kia is working to make electrification approachable.

Plug & Charge isn’t new in the EV world—brands like Mercedes, Ford, and VW have similar integrations—but Kia’s rollout signals its seriousness about making its EVs feel modern, intuitive, and easy to live with.

And while it might not have the same flash as unveiling a new model or boosting range, for anyone who’s wrestled with charging apps at a public station, this is exactly the kind of upgrade that makes day-to-day EV driving just a little bit better.

Source: Kia

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Kia Hits One Million Sales in Australia, With the Tasman Pickup Leading the Charge

Kia has just crossed a major milestone Down Under: its one-millionth vehicle sold in Australia. The landmark model? A Tasman X-Pro Dual Cab pickup, handed over at Motorama Kia in Queensland—a fitting symbol of how far the brand has come since first touching Australian soil in 1988.

Back then, Kia’s lineup started with the boxy, off-road–leaning Rocsta. It was a niche beginning, and it took the automaker thirty years to clock 500,000 sales. But what followed was nothing short of a surge. In just seven more years, Kia doubled that figure, cementing its place as a serious contender in one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets.

“The Tasman’s strong reception shows the value of developing vehicles tailored to the needs of each region,” said Tae-Hun (Ted) Lee, Executive VP and Head of Kia’s Global Operations Division. And he’s not wrong. Australia is a country that loves its utes, and the Tasman—the brand’s first true pickup designed for rugged, everyday use—represents Kia’s recognition of that.

Damien Meredith, CEO of Kia Australia, called the achievement both a milestone and a launchpad: “Kia has thrived in a competitive and dynamic market, backed by products that have evolved to meet changing expectations and a brand that has earned the trust of Australian customers. With a fresh wave of innovative models on the horizon, today’s celebration marks an exciting starting point for our next chapter.”

Kia’s growth hasn’t just been about volume. In 2022, the brand topped the nationwide Dealer Satisfaction Survey, a nod to its customer-first approach. Last year, it sold more than 80,000 vehicles in a single year for the first time—a clear sign of momentum.

And the lineup speaks for itself: the Picanto, still a segment leader in the city-car category; the Carnival, Australia’s best-selling people mover; and now the Tasman, aimed squarely at one of the most fiercely loyal buyer bases in the country. Add to that Kia’s expanding electric portfolio, bolstered by its “Platform Beyond Vehicle” strategy, and the trajectory is obvious: this is a company looking to lock in long-term relevance.

One million sales may be a reason to celebrate, but for Kia, it’s also a reminder that Australia has become more than just another export market—it’s a proving ground. With the Tasman leading the latest charge and an electrified future looming, the brand’s next million might come even faster.

Source: Kia

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Kia Doubles Down on Awards: EV3 and Sportage Take Top Honors at 2025 What Car? Electric Car Awards

Kia just added more silverware to its already crowded trophy cabinet. At the 2025 What Car? Electric Car Awards, the Korean brand’s newest EV, the Kia EV3, was named Best Electric Small SUV, while the ever-popular Kia Sportage took home Best Used Hybrid Family SUV.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because these aren’t the first nods this pair has received this year. Back in January, the same duo grabbed wins at the broader 2025 What Car? Awards—with the EV3 crowned Best Small Electric SUV and the Sportage celebrated as Best Family SUV.

Paul Philpott, President & CEO of Kia UK Limited, summed up the brand’s momentum: “It is a great honor to receive yet more recognition for the EV3 and Sportage from What Car? … What Car?’s great reputation as an independent, influential and respected publication for car buyers gives these awards more meaning.”

EV3: The Electric Small SUV to Beat

The EV3 has been nothing short of a breakout hit. It’s already Kia’s fastest-selling EV of all time and the UK’s retail best-selling EV of 2025. Not bad for a compact SUV that only hit the market this year.

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford praised its refinement: “The EV3 is a relaxing car to drive, because its ride is downright plush, while wind, road and motor noise are kept to a minimum … even the smaller of the two batteries on offer delivers an impressive range, so the EV3 offers excellent value.”

The EV3 isn’t just a category winner—it’s the reigning UK Car of the Year and World Car of the Year. That’s a back-to-back global win for Kia, which snagged the same honors in 2024 with the larger EV9.

Sportage: The Family SUV That Won’t Quit

On the other side of the lineup, the Kia Sportage continues to do what it’s done best for decades: dominate the family SUV space. It remains Kia’s top-selling model worldwide, and in the UK it’s currently the second best-selling vehicle overall.

The fifth-gen Sportage, launched in 2021, brought hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains to the table for the first time. Huntingford highlighted the PHEV version’s everyday appeal: “Like any Sportage, the PHEV version combines impressive ride comfort with a smart, spacious and user-friendly interior. Plus, you get the added bonus of a 43-mile electric range. The fact that your used Sportage will still be covered by the original manufacturer warranty also makes it very appealing.”

For 2025, Kia has given the Sportage a mid-cycle refresh, borrowing some styling cues and tech innovations from its newer EV siblings (EV3, EV6, EV9).

Kia’s Bigger Picture

The EV3’s instant success and the Sportage’s enduring popularity illustrate Kia’s two-pronged strategy: sell cutting-edge EVs while keeping electrified hybrids relevant and competitive in the used market. With a lineup that spans everything from compact crossovers to three-row electric flagships, Kia has firmly positioned itself as one of the most influential brands in the industry.

And with awards piling up, it seems buyers and critics alike are buying what Kia’s selling.

Source: Kia