Kia Announces the Launch of Plug & Charge Is Coming Soon

On September 25, 2025, Kia America announced the launch of Plug & Charge, a new technology designed to simplify and streamline the public charging experience for Kia EV drivers. Integrated into the brand’s connected vehicle platform and tied to the Kia Charge Pass, Plug & Charge enables automatic vehicle authentication and billing at compatible charging stations—no more fumbling with apps, RFID cards, or credit card swipes. Drivers simply plug in, and charging begins.

This advancement is part of Kia’s commitment to delivering smart, intuitive mobility solutions through its Kia Connect2 suite of services. The feature will first roll out to eligible 2025 Kia EV6 vehicles by the end of September, followed in Q4 2025 by eligible 2026 EV9 models. Current owners will be notified as the feature becomes available.

Plug & Charge is enabled by the ISO 15118 standard, which also covers vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communications. While today’s EVs still require cables for charging, wireless systems could one day integrate with this technology for an even more seamless future.

The tech isn’t unique to Kia, other automakers including Audi, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen already offer Plug & Charge capability, often in partnership with networks like Electrify America or EVGo. Meanwhile, Ford, GM, and Volkswagen Group are preparing to expand Plug & Charge access as part of their adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS).

Importantly, Plug & Charge doesn’t add cost for drivers. In fact, some automakers cover charging fees through partnerships with networks, making the process not just easier but potentially cheaper.

For EV owners, the impact is significant. Drivers have long faced a fragmented landscape of charging apps, memberships, and inconsistent payment methods. Plug & Charge simplifies everything into one secure, automatic process, giving Kia drivers the same effortless experience other owners have enjoyed.

By bringing Plug & Charge to its EV lineup, Kia is reinforcing its role as a leader in connected vehicle technology while making EV ownership more convenient and stress-free. As charging infrastructure grows and more automakers adopt the standard, drivers can expect a future where plugging in is just as simple, and universal, as filling up at the pump.

Universal Plug & Charge Advanced by Joint Office and SAE Industry Technologies Consortia in December 2024

In December 2024, EVinfo.net reported the announcement from SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (SAE ITC) and its Electric Vehicle Public Key Infrastructure (EVPKI) Consortium, in partnership with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. Together, they unveiled a common EVPKI framework that enabled secure, automatic authentication between EVs, chargers, and networks, a major step toward making “Plug & Charge” universal.

Until then, Plug & Charge capabilities had been fragmented, limited to certain automakers or charging networks. The new framework provided the foundation for true interoperability, where every EV and every charger could communicate seamlessly. By establishing a Certificate Trust List (CTL), the EVPKI ensured secure, automated authentication at the start of each charging session, eliminating the patchwork of apps and cards drivers had faced.

The benefits extended beyond convenience. The EVPKI framework built cybersecurity directly into the charging process and laid the groundwork for vehicle-grid integration (VGI), including bidirectional energy flows, advanced grid services, and more resilient energy ecosystems.

Sarah Hipel, Acting CTO of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, highlighted the importance of the milestone: “This common platform enables innovation while supporting future advances in vehicle-grid integration and vehicle-to-everything communications.”

Implementation was scheduled to move forward through 2025, with key steps including vendor technology exchange, onboarding and testing of PKI users, and the creation of a competitive EV sector PKI supply market. Tim Weisenberger, Director of SAE EVPKI, called the announcement a breakthrough: “The public release of the SAE EVPKI with its Certified Trust List provides a critical message security solution for universal Plug & Charge functionality—marking a major advancement in the electric mobility ecosystem.”

Gabe Klein, Executive Director of the Joint Office, framed the development in terms EV drivers could appreciate: “Universal Plug & Charge levels up the electric fueling experience—making it even easier than filling up with gas. We are rapidly approaching a future where every EV driver can just plug in, charge up, and go.”

The EVPKI Consortium included a wide range of global automakers, charger manufacturers, charge point operators, mobility service providers, and PKI suppliers. SAE ITC, an affiliate of SAE International, managed the effort by providing a neutral forum for collaboration across the industry.