Kia Ireland Launches Kia Charge – One Account 315,000 Charging Points
Kia Ireland has launched KiaCharge, a European-wide integrated public charging service, designed to give drivers easier access to public vehicle charging. From launch, KiaCharge provides more comprehensive access to the Irish, UK and European public charging network than any equivalent service. KiaCharge is now live and the app is available to download from Google Play and Apple App Store
KiaCharge gives owners of the brand’s BEVs (battery electric vehicle) and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) access to more than 1,400 charge points across Ireland – from a single account.
From launch, KiaCharge provides access to major charging networks, including ESB, EasyGo and IONITY. There are plans to further expand KiaCharge coverage throughout 2022. Being able to access these networks via a single platform negates the need for drivers to sign up to separate accounts with multiple charging point operators or pre-pay with others
Created in partnership with Digital Charging Solutions (DCS), the service also enables zero-emission continental travel. Thanks to eRoaming, drivers can access more than 315,000 additional charging points across 28 other European countries without the need for additional contracts.
Kia BEV and PHEV owners can access KiaCharge via a smartphone app or radio-frequency identification (RFID) card. Instead of numerous individual transactions, payments are made via a single itemised monthly invoice.
“ Kia Ireland are delighted to roll out KiaCharge for our EV and PHEV customers “ commented Managing Director ,Ronan Flood .” The future of Kia is not just in providing our customers with cars but also with a range of mobility solutions such as KiaConnect and KiaCharge . Kia are without doubt leaders in the roll out of electrified vehicles and our aim is to enhance the user ownership experience of all our EV customers “
Two flexible tariffs – ‘Easy’ and ‘Plus’
The service offers a choice of two fully flexible tariffs for all customers, tailored to fit individual charging preferences: ‘Easy’ and ‘Plus’. Both tariffs are designed to make charging convenient, efficient and simple, offering easy payment and a single, straightforward monthly bill.
The ‘Easy’ tariff is ideal for light users, with a one-off €2.49 charge to access the service. With no monthly subscription fees, most charging stations instead require a €0.49 ‘session fee’ when users plug in, with users paying per kWh of electricity.
The ‘Plus’ tariff is the ideal option for those who rely more heavily on public charging. They simply pay a €3.95 monthly tariff, with no up-front charge or session fees. Like the ‘Easy’ tariff, users also pay per kWh, but earn an additional 15 per cent discount per kWh from most networks (except IONITY).
Two IONITY bolt-on tariffs can also be added to avail of ultra-high speed charging and can reduce the standard per kWh fee by up to 65%. Irish Car of the Year - EV6 will be able to accommodate the high-speed charging capabilities of the IONITY network, thanks to its 800V maximum charging capacity.
Kia Ireland are also pleased to announce that all owners of EV6 models registered this year a 12 month free subscription to IONITY Power. This means the monthly fee, normally €13, is waived so the customer just pays for the charging session at €0.27 per KW/h used. This offer is validated on eligible vehicles using a VIN input during account registration of their KIaCharge account .
KiaCharge tariffs are fully flexible, and users can switch between them with only one month’s notice. They receive a single monthly invoice for using the service, rather than individual bills for each charge, giving them full oversight of their charging activity in one place.
Users can sign-up to KiaCharge, order an RFID card, and manage their account via the app or online at www.kiacharge.com. The website also provides users with relevant information relating to the service, including product details, tariffs, charging network maps and real-time, live information of the charging station status..
KiaCharge is available to all owners of existing and future Kia BEV and PHEV models, including the 77.4 kWh EV6, with an electric range up to 528 kilometrers.