2024 Kia Niro EV Charging Costs And Range Explained

The Kia Niro EV may not be as spectacular as the South Korean’s new EV crossover products, but it is still an exemplary option if you’re looking for a straightforward and cost-effective electric car. Kia bases the compact electric crossover on the Hyundai Kona SX2’s chassis and positions it as a flagship model above a parallel hybrid and plug-in hybrid option. Thanks to a smaller battery capacity, the Niro EV benefits from some impressively low charging costs, coupled with good energy consumption estimates.

Kia recently gave the range a comprehensive new-generation update, introducing an array of updated features and equipment. Its larger battery and more powerful electric motor means that it will be marginally more expensive to run compared to the previous e-Niro. However, you’ll find it to be a lot more competitive than some newer electric car options, boasting even bigger batteries and stronger motors.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor And Statistics, the EPA, and Edmunds.

The Kia Niro EV Is Offered With A Single Battery Option

The Kia Niro EV is only available with a 64.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which the brand sources from CATL as part of a brand-new partnership. Kia doesn’t use this 358-volt battery technology for any of its other electric cars. This battery powers a single front-mounted motor that generates 201 horsepower and 188 pound-feet, which is not an outstanding figure when comparing it to other EVs in its segment.

Performance Specifications

(Specifications sourced from Kia and the EPA)

Kia claims the Niro EV will cover 0-60 MPH in 7.6 seconds, but tests reveal 7.1 seconds to be possible in the right conditions. The brand limits its top speed to 103 MPH and towing to 1,653 pounds, so you’ll find it to have limited use if you plan to go beyond urban environments.

The Kia Niro EV Takes 60 Hours To Charge

As per the EPA’s estimates, the Kia Niro EV covers 253 miles on a single charge. This is an appropriate figure considering the battery capacity, but it’s far less than what newer electric car designs are capable of. However, if you limit yourself strictly to urban and extra-urban driving conditions, the Niro’s battery will prove to be more than practical enough for daily usage.

Range And Charging Time

Kia equips the Niro EV with an 11 kW onboard charger, resulting in a 60-hour waiting time if you use a Level One plug point rated at 120 volts. A Level Two 240-volt system replenishes the entire battery in six hours, while Level Three DC fast charging, limited to 85 kW, replenishes 10 to 80 percent of the battery in 43 minutes.

The Kia Niro EV Costs $27 For A Full Recharge

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor And Statistics, the national cost of electricity currently sits at 17 cents per kWh. St. Louis and Seattle are two cities that benefit from the lowest energy costs, at 13 cents per kWh. San Diego and San Francisco are some of the more expensive areas, where energy can cost you up to 42 cents for every kWh. These rates are slightly lower during off-peak hours, which are typically between 11 PM and 6 AM when most people charge.

Charging Costs

(Pricing sourced from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor And Statistics)

The Kia Niro PHEV’s compact battery makes it a more affordable car to charge. In low-rate states, the 64.8 kWh battery costs $8.42 in cheaper regions and $27.22 in cities with the highest energy costs. The national average charging cost of its battery sits at $11.02.

The Kia Niro is compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger, but it’s limited to an 85 kW charging speed, so you can’t take full advantage of its 250 kW fast charging abilities. Despite this, you still have to pay the same rate, meaning the 64.8 kWh battery will cost you $32.40 for a full charge during quiet times and $64.80 when the stations are busier than usual.

The Kia Niro EV Gets Three Years Of Free Charging

All new Kia Niro EV sales include a three-year complementary 30-minute DC fast charging session at any Electrify America branch, limited to 500 kWh. This means you can get just under eight free fast-charging sessions for free. Electrify America’s network consists of 878 chargers located across the U.S. These include a total of 3,892 fast chargers and 111 Level Two chargers, with 91 more locations currently under construction.

• Electrify America is the largest open direct current (DC) fast-charging network in the United States.
• It was established in 2017 as part of Volkswagen’s court settlement related to the diesel emissions scandal.
• The network aims to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption by providing convenient and accessible charging infrastructure.
• Electrify America operates over 878 charging stations with more than 3,800 individual fast chargers across the country.
• Their chargers support various charging standards, including CHAdeMO, CCS, and Tesla’s proprietary connector with adapters.
• Electrify America invests in renewable energy sources to power its charging stations, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Niro EV owners also get access to the Kia Charge smartphone app. This lets you remotely start, stop, and schedule your EV’s charging. You can also use this app to preset the car’s climate control system.

Kia’s Wall Charger Costs $799

You get a standard 120-volt charging cable for household plugs when you buy an all-new Niro EV, but it does not offer a Level Two-rated cable. You’ll have to buy this from a third-party supplier for about $200. There’s a broad catalog of household wallboxes that Kia provides via reputable third-party suppliers. These boxes range from under 8 kW to 11.5 kW, with prices starting at $799. You also need to consider the installation cost, which varies between $800 and $2,000, depending on your location.

The Niro EV’s electrical system benefits from a convenient vehicle-to-load system. You can use 80 percent of the battery’s charge to power small appliances at 120 volts, making it a handy portable workstation or camper.

Kia Niro EV Battery Warranty And Replacement Cost

Kia covers all Niro EV battery and powertrain-related problems via its 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty. The carmaker assures that its battery technology won’t experience more than 30 percent of battery degradation during this period. Kia is fairly new to the electric car sphere, so we can’t say how reputable its battery technology is over a long period.

Kia doesn’t disclose parts pricing, so we also can’t tell you how much a replacement battery outside of warranty costs. When batteries start to age, manufacturers will identify and replace the faulty battery modules rather than exchange the entire battery pack. The result is a lower repair cost and carbon footprint.