The Kia EV6 is one of the finest electric crossover SUVs on the market. It also covers an excellent range of up to 310 miles with a 77.4-kWh battery pack. However, it also comes with multiple issues, including charging problems., But what are the Kia EV6 charging problems?
Some of the common Kia EV6 charging problems are the charger drawing excessive current, the charging system overheating, the car not charging, and issues with level 2 charging. Even though these issues are not rampant, several owners have raised them and most of them are easy to fix.
What are the common charging problems with the Kia EV6?
The charger draws excessive current
One of the major charging issues with the Kia EV6 is the charger drawing excessive current. One of the owners from Florida complained in February 2023 that his on-board charge controller on the EV6 was “drawing excessive current from my Level 2 EVSE portable charger. When my charger is set to 24 amps maximum the car will draw 28 to 30 amps, causing the charger to shut down and report a short-circuit has been detected. When my charger is set to 40 amps, about an hour into charging, the car will draw 46.6 amps again causing the charger to shut down and indicate a short-circuit. My understanding of the Level 2 charging standard is that the charger tells the vehicle its current setting, and the vehicle is not supposed to draw more current than the charger tells it.”
Since the charger draws more power than it should when utilized with the Kia EV6, this is a major safety problem that could cause a fire. Note that the same charger doesn’t draw excess power when used with other EVs. So, this is something owners of the EV6 should take note of.
Overheating charging system
Another major issue that Kia EV6 owners have complained about is issues with Level 2 charging. Aside from the charger drawing excessive current, users have also stated that Level 2 charging causes a fault where the battery management system or charging system overheats.
Besides, some users have also complained that they were not able to charge their car to 40 amps or higher with the Level 2 charger. Another owner reported several failures trying to charge an AC 220-volt current at both 9 kW and 8 kW.
If your Kia EV6 is experiencing any of the above charging problems, you should see the manufacturer if you’re under warranty or have your car inspected by a professional mechanic.
Car not charging
This is another major issue that Kia EV6 owners have complained about. Some of the things that cause the Kia EV6 not to charge are loose connectivity or charging connectivity problems. Other issues include physical damage to the battery, power outlet issues, and a dead battery.
Some users even complained that the charger suddenly stopped charging because of an increase in temperature or incorrect charging patterns. Note that in some cases, this problem was caused by an outdated software version. Therefore, updating the software fixed the issue.
Since there are different reasons why the car may not charge, it is crucial to have a professional mechanic inspect your car. Some issues may be resolved by switching the car on/off. But in some cases, you may even have to replace the battery or even reset the battery switch.
FAQ
Is it a good idea to charge your EV6 to 100%?
No, it is not a good idea to charge your EV’s battery up to 100%. This is because it will reduce the overall lifespan of your car’s battery. However, a full charge is good as it will give you maximum operating time. Therefore, you should minimize the batteries at 100% state of charge.
For instance, charging the battery to 100% and discharging to less than 50% will reduce its lifespan, as will charging the battery to 80% and discharging to less than 30%.
At what percentage should I charge my Kia EV6 and why?
You should limit the charging at rapid chargers to 80% to preserve battery health. This is because even though charging to 100% is great and safe for your car, in the long term, it is not good for your EV battery. This is because lithium-ion batteries are most efficient working in the range between 20 and 80%.
Is it okay to charge my Kia EV6 daily?
No, it is not a good idea to charge your car daily. This is because natural degradation may take place in the battery based on the number of charging cycles that are utilized over its lifespan. Note that electric vehicle battery performance and durability can slow down if the charger is utilized constantly.
Can I leave my Kia EV6 plugged in for a week?
Yes, you can leave your Kia EV6 plugged in for a week. No damage will happen to your car or battery. However, you must follow instructions in your owner’s manual. Nonetheless, you should also understand that modern electric car batteries are very highly developed and durable, and leaving them plugged in or unplugged for a week likely won’t do any damage.
How long does it take to charge the Kia EV6?
All types of Kia EV6 can charge at a maximum of 11 kW at an AC charging station. As a result, this means that it takes around 6 hours to charge the standard range 2WD from 0 to 100%. On the other hand, it takes around 8 hours to charge the long-range 2WD, long-range AWD, and GT versions.
Bottom line
The Kia EV6 is a fine and spacious compact crossover SUV. But as expected, it also has multiple issues that owners should be aware of. One of the major issues that users face is charging problems. As discussed above, the main charging issues with the Kia EV6 are the charger drawing excessive current, the charging system overheating, issues with level 2 charging, and the car not charging.
If your Kia EV6 is facing one of the charging issues that we’ve mentioned above, you should get in touch with Kia or take your car to a professional mechanic for fixing.
