Kia EV2 EV Charging Cable

Charging your EV2 at home

Small batteries reward a decent charger, and this is a small car with a full size one. Both versions reach a useful state of charge inside an evening, and on a cheap overnight tariff the 42.2 kWh car costs very little to fill from low.

Kia's smallest electric car arrives with the 11 kW AC charger fitted as standard on both the 42.2 kWh and 61 kWh batteries, which is more generous than the class usually manages. On a home supply that becomes 7.4 kW.

One 32A single phase Type 2 cable is all either version needs. A 16A lead works and takes twice as long, which on a small battery is the difference between four hours and eight.

How long a full charge takes

Each figure is the pack size divided by the power actually drawn, with 13 per cent added for charging losses and the result rounded to the quarter hour. Quoted range is up to 195 miles WLTP on the 42.2 kWh car and 275 on the 61 kWh version. The range column is deliberately cautious, at 3.5 miles per kWh.

Which length to buy

Kia puts the socket forward and on the driver's side, so it faces the road rather than the pavement when the car is parked facing forwards. Drive straight at a wall box mounted on that side of the drive and 5 metres is comfortable. Reverse in, or charge from the kerb, and the lead crosses the car before it reaches the flap, which is what 10 metres is for.

The EV2 is a short car, a little over four metres, so lengths go further here than they do on an estate or an SUV. If the charge point is fitted where the car habitually sits, five metres is a genuine option rather than a gamble.

How these cables are built

Made to IEC 62196-2, CE marked, and rated IP55 from -30C to +50C so it lives outdoors all year.

The three pin cable is built to IEC 62752, CE marked, sealed to IP67 and rated from -30C to +60C. Backed by a two year manufacturer's warranty, with free next working day delivery and a 30 day return window.

Also from Kia: Kia EV3 EV Charging Cable. The full range of Kia charging cables is on one page.

Kia EV2 charging cable questions

What charging cable does the Kia EV2 use?

A Type 2 to Type 2 cable. Take the 32A single phase version for home charging, since the car has an 11 kW AC charger and a British house supplies 7.4 kW of that.

How long does a Kia EV2 take to charge?

From empty at 7.4 kW, around six and a half hours for the 42.2 kWh battery and about nine and a half for the 61 kWh. Both fit inside a normal overnight window.

Is 16A enough for a Kia EV2?

It charges, at half the speed. On the 61 kWh car that is about nineteen hours from empty instead of nine and a half. The 32A cable is the sensible buy unless your charge point is a 3.6 kW unit.

Where is the EV2 charge port?

At the front of the car on the offside, away from the kerb, with AC and rapid charging behind the same flap.