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How an Electric car works
All electric cars, also known as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), are powered by an electric motor and battery, with an external plug socket to charge the battery. Our diagram below shows how these components work together in more detail.
All our electric cars can cover long distances with zero tailpipe emissions. Our EV6 can go up to 361 miles* (combined WLTP testing) on a single charge, while our newest electric car, the EV3 can travel up to 375* miles.
All our electric vehicles can be charged from a home or public charge point using Type 2 and CCS standard sockets. At a rapid DC charging station, they will charge in less time than you need to take a break.
For added efficiency, Kia electric cars also use regenerative braking, which allows them to funnel significant amounts of energy back to the battery through braking or deceleration.
The emission-free driving Kia electric car range comes with a host of sustainable and money-saving advantages. Join the charge and enjoy the benefits of driving an electric car.
Electric only drive
Sound of silence? Not quite, but drive a Kia electric car – whether in town or on the motorway - and you’ll notice how relaxing and quiet it is.
Long distance driving
Do you sometimes travel long distance? Whatever your lifestyle, electric cars are convenient to use both for short and long journeys. Not only do they benefit from significant range, but they charge fast and you can rely on convenient public charging solutions like Kia Charge.
Emission-free
Driving electric is as rewarding as it is exciting. Our electric cars release no harmful tailpipe emissions, so you can enjoy the peace of mind of a more planet-friendly driving experience.
Tax benefits
Pure EVs attract various tax benefits and exemptions, including a current Congestion Charge exemption for zero-emission vehicles until 2025. Find out more about electric car tax benefits.
Charging at home is economical but how economical depends on your home energy tariff.
With a flat kWh price of 30p, a full charge of your EV6 comes to £25.20. If you drive enough miles, an EV charging tariff can slash this cost and save you money overall.
EV tariffs usually involve a very low, off-peak kWh rate and a slightly more-expensive-than-usual peak kWh rate. Make sure you review the best energy tariff options to make the best of your Kia.
How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?
Whatever your model, having a dedicated electric car home charger lets you charge more quickly and more safely than with a regular 3-pin socket.
With a 7.2kW home charger, you can charge your plug-in hybrid in about 3-4 hours while an electric car takes about 10 hours so an overnight charge will do just fine.
Kia have partnered with Pod Point, one of Britain’s leading home charge point manufacturers and installers to provide and fit your home charge point at a discounted rate.
Ask Bells Motor Group to refer you to Pod Point to benefit from a reduced price exclusive to you!
How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?
Whatever your model, having a dedicated electric car home charger lets you charge more quickly and more safely than with a regular 3-pin socket.
With a 7.2kW home charger, you can charge your plug-in hybrid in about 3-4 hours while an electric car takes about 10 hours so an overnight charge will do just fine.
All Cars charging times:
| EV6 | Niro EV | Sportage PHEV | Niro PHEV | Sorento PHEV | EV9 | EV3 SR | EV3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.2kW | - | 9h 25m* | 1h 45m** | 2h 55m^ | 3h 25m | - | - | - |
| 11kW | 7h 35m** | 6h 20m* | 1h 45m | 2h 55m^ | 3h 25m | 9h 5m | 5h 20m | 7h 15m |
*10% to 80% charge, ^15% to 95% charge, **10% to 100% charge
Charging time by station speed and model:
| Model | Mains charging Single Phase | 7.2kW AC Single Phase | 11kW AC Three Phase | |||
| Effective max. speed | Approx. charging time | Effective max. speed | Approx. charging time | Effective max. speed | Approx. charging time | |
| Sorento PHEV | 2.3kW | 5 hours 2 min (15%-95%) | 3.3kW | 3 hours 25 min (15%-95%) | 3.3kW | 3 hours 25 min (15%-95%) |
| Sportage PHEV | 2.3kW | 5 hours 27 min (15%-95%) | 7.2kW | 1 hour 45 min (15%-95%) | 7.2kW | 1 hour 45 min (15%-95%) |
| Niro PHEV | - | - | 7.2kW | 9 hours 25 min (10%-100%) | 11kW | 6 hours 20 min (10%-100%) |
| Niro EV | 2.3kW | 27 hours 30 min (10%-100%) | 7.2kW | 9 hours 25 min (10%-100%) | 11kW | 6 hours 20 min (10%-100%) |
| EV6 | 2.3kW | 34 hours 40 min (10%-100%) | 7.2kW | - | 11kW | 9 hours 5 min (10%-100%) |
| EV9 | 2.3kW | 40 hours 35 min (10% - 100%) | 7.2kW | - | 11kW | 5 hours 20 min (10% - 100%) |
| EV3 SR | - | - | - | - | 11kW | 5 hours 20 min (10% - 100%) |
| EV3 LR | - | - | - | - | 11kW | 7 hours 15 min (10-100%) |
Model | 7.2kW AC | 22kW AC | 50kW DC | 100kW DC | 350kW DC | |||||
Effective max. speed | Approx. charging time | Effective max. speed | Approx. charging time | Effective max. speed | Approx. charging time | Effective max. speed | Approx. charging time | Effective max. speed | Approx. charging time | |
Sorento PHEV |
| 3 hours | 3.3kW | 3 hours |
|
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|
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Sportage PHEV |
| 1 hour |
| 1 hour |
|
|
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Niro PHEV |
| 2 hours (15% - 95%) | 3.3kW | 2 hours (15% - 95%) |
|
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| N/A |
Niro EV |
| 9 hours |
| 6 hours | 50kW | 1 hour | 72kW | 45 min | 72kW | 43 min |
EV6 | 7.2kW | - | 11kW | 7 hours | 50kW | 1 hour | - | - | 258kW |
|
EV9 | 7.2kW | - | 11kW | 9 hours 5 min (10% - 100%) | 50kW | 1 hour 23 min (10% - 80%) | - | - | 210kW | 24 min (10% – 80%) |
EV3 SR | 7.2kW | - | 11kW | 5 hours 20 min (10% - 100%) | 50kW | 55 min (10% - 80%) | - | - | 127kW | 29 min (10% - 80%) |
EV3 | 7.2kW | - | 11kW | 7 hours 15 min (10% - 100%) | 50kW | 1 hour 19 min (10% - 100%) | - | - | 127kW | 31 min (10% - 80%) |
Plug-In Hybrids (PHEV) provide an enhanced level of power, which can be sourced from both a petrol engine and a cable-rechargeable battery. This balanced engineering solution uses a larger battery, prioritising the use of electricity over petrol. It means you'll enjoy optimal fuel economy and better overall driving range, helping to lower your carbon footprint on every journey you make.
How a Plug-In Hybrid car works
Plug-In Hybrids have a battery and engine that support each other when needed.
The battery needs to be charged from an external source, like a home or public charge point.
The battery also charges when decelerating or going downhill.
Plug-In Hybrids can operate in electric-only mode at low and high speed for significant distances.
Optimal performance
Enhanced driveability delivered by the combined performance of a petrol driven engine and electric motor.
Electric only range
Good for your wallet and our planet. With your battery fully charged, you can make most short daily journeys without using even a drop of petrol.
Similar to a hybrid, the plug-in hybrid's combustion engine lets you drive long distances once the all-electric range has been utilised.
Hybrid to cope with every eventuality. Since launching our Optima hybrid in 2011, we have developed a range of outstanding hybrid vehicles that stand out for their efficiency, appeal and quality.
More than a flexible technology, our new hybrid car range honed to give you room for inspiration. Keep reading to discover more about what the hybrid driving experience can offer you and how you can find the best hybrid car for you with Kia.
How a Hybrid car works
Hybrids have a battery and engine that support each other when needed.
There is no need to charge the battery from an external source.
The battery charges when decelerating or going downhill.
Hybrids can operate in electric-only mode when at a standstill, at low, constant speed or when decelerating.
Consume less fuel
The seamless coordination of the engine and battery not only provides power but also efficient use of fuel.
No need to plug in
Fill up the car with petrol just like any conventional petrol car. Our Hybrid system cleverly charges the battery whilst you are driving.
Less clutch, more drive
Enjoy the performance of two combined power sources funnelled through an automatic or dual-clutch gearbox. The system automatically changes gears swiftly and seamlessly for maximum driving enjoyment.
Kia Electric and Hybrid cars use electric power or a combination of electric and petrol power to drive the engine. This makes them more economical to run with lower emissions than a traditional petrol driven car. So, whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint, or simply wish to lower the cost of running your car, there are plenty of reasons to go electric and making the switch is much simpler than you might think.
A battery electric vehicle is better for the environment than a petrol or diesel car, cheaper to run and simpler to own. Like the sound of that? Our simple guide can tell you more.
A hybrid or self-charging hybrid car switches between petrol and electric automatically to optimise driving performance, improve fuel economy and lower emissions. Simply get in and the car generates power as you drive. No plugging in required.
Plug-in Hybrid cars use a combination of petrol and electric to offer you many of the benefits of an electric car and a petrol engine combined.
Electric and Hybrid vehicles may have a higher purchase price but take the strong residual values and relatively low running costs into account and the proposition becomes a lot more attractive.
With clutch-less operation and instant acceleration response, our electric vehicles are genuinely fun to drive. Our EV6, with its road-hugging all-wheel drive traction system, takes you from 0-62mph in only 5.2 seconds.
Kia electrified powertrains offer truly useable range and versatility. With our Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids, you don’t have to compromise on total range compared to conventional vehicles. Our Electric cars offer a range of up to 328 miles (Combined WLTP testing) – more than enough for the everyday and to venture out to far-away places.
Good for the environment, great for lower tax. Whether you own your car or drive it for your company, Hybrid and Electric vehicles offer many tax advantages over conventional cars.
Kia Electric Vehicles can charge in a matter of minutes, not hours. Using the predominant CCS standard for DC charging, our EV6 is capable of charging from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes.
Driving a Hybrid or Electric vehicle is one of the ways to help combat climate change so we safeguard our planet and children’s future.
From how much it costs to charge your electric or plug-in hybrid car to how long it takes, we'll tell you everything you need to know about charging your Kia at home
Our Electric cars use a battery to drive a powerful electric motor, while our Hybrids use a combination of electric motor and conventional engine.
A battery electric vehicle is better for the environment than a petrol or diesel car, cheaper to run and simpler to own. Like the sound of that? Owning an electric car is cheaper than you might think, with Government grants, tax incentives and lower running costs.
Switching between petrol and electric automatically to optimise driving performance, improved fuel economy and lower emissions, simply get in and the car generates power as you drive. No plugging in required.
A plug-in hybrid gets all the benefits of a self-charging hybrid, but it has a larger battery. This means you can plug it in at home or at a public chargepoint to give you a 30-mile electric range. When that electric range is depleted, the car automatically switches to self-charging hybrid mode.
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