Skip to main content

Amazon and Kia team up to simplify EV home-charging station installs

Kia Motors announced a new program with Amazon for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Customers who purchase a new Kia EV or PHEV can buy one of Kia’s recommended Level 2 240-volt home charging stations on Amazon. Once they’ve selected a charger, customers can arrange installation in their homes by licensed electricians handpicked and certified by Amazon before they take delivery of their new cars.

Kia currently sells two electric-only models, the Soul EV and Niro EV, plus two plug-in hybrids, the Niro PHEV and Optima PHEV. Kia electric vehicles can charge their batteries by plugging into a standard 120-volt household outlet, also known as Level 1 charging. However, with a 2019 Soul EV, for example, it can take 33 hours for a full charge. With a Level 2 charger, however, a Soul EV recharges in 5.1 to 6 hours, according to the Amazon’s ChargeMyKia page.

“Home-charging can’t get any easier than this,” Kia’s Orth Hedrick, executive director of car planning and telematics, said in a news release. “Being able to order a Level 2 charger and installation through Amazon further demystifies and simplifies the experience for new Kia EV and PHEV owners. It’s just another example of how we’re constantly striving to provide the very best vehicles and customer experience.”

Kia currently recommends three 240-volt Level 2 charging stations, from Bosch, ChargePoint, and JuiceBox. The prices for the chargers, not including installation, currently range from $549 to $764.

Bosch EL-51866-4018 Power Max 2, 40-Amp Electric Vehicle Charging Station  — $764


The Bosch EL-51866-4018 Power Max 2, 40-Amp Electric Vehicle Charging Station includes an 18-foot service cable with a standard SAE J1772 plug. Rated for indoor or outdoor installation, the Bosch charger has a thermal sensor to protect against overheating, multifunction LEDs for charging and power status, and an on-off switch. The charging station comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

The Bosch Cable EL-51866-4018 Power Max 2, 40 Amp Electric Vehicle Charging Station with an 18-foot service cord sells for $764.

ChargePoint Home WiFi Enabled Electric Vehicle Charger – Level 2 EVSE, 240 Volt — $620

ChargePoint’s Home Wi-Fi Enabled Electric Vehicle Level 2 EVSE 240-volt charger  Charger – Level 2 EVSE, 240 Volt is a 32-amp charger that comes with an 18-foot charging cord. This charger can be hardwired or used as a plug-in with a 40-amp NEMA 6-50 power outlet. The ChargePoint can be installed indoor or outdoor, but the plug-in installation is for indoor applications only. Using the ChargePoint app, you can schedule charging when rates are lowest and set reminders so you don’t try to drive away in a car you forgot to charge. The ChargePoint Home Wi-Fi charger is also Alexa compatible so you can control it by voice.

Normally priced at $699, the ChargePoint Home Level 2 charger is just $620 during a current sale.

JuiceBox Pro 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station with Wi-Fi — $549

The JuiceBox Pro 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station with Wi-Fi is a 40-amp Level 2 EVSE. The JuiceBox Pro, like the ChargePoint unit, can be installed via hardwire or with a plug-in installation so you can take the charger with you if you move. The JuiceBox Pro comes with a 24-foot charging cable, can be installed inside or outside, and, also like the ChargePoint charger, can be controlled with a smartphone app or by voice command with Amazon Alexa.

Normally priced at $619, the JuiceBox Pro 40 is currently on sale for $549.

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
The Kia EV9 is being built in Georgia — making it a whole lot cheaper
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

Kia has officially kicked off production of the EV9 electric SUV in Georgia. That's big news for a number of reasons. First, it makes the EV9 the first EV to be assembled in Georgia. Second, it means more solid jobs in the U.S. And third, it means that the well-priced electric SUV is about to get even cheaper.

The reason for the price decrease is simple -- by moving production of the EV9 to Georgia from Korea, the SUV will now qualify for the federal EV tax credit, bringing the total price of the vehicle down by a hefty $7,500. It was already one of the more affordable electric SUVs, but the big rebate makes it even more enticing.

Read more
The Kia EV3 could be the cheap electric SUV we’ve been waiting for
White Kia EV3

The Kia EV9 was already one of the cheapest ways to get an electric SUV, but now the company is taking things to the next level. After teasing the Kia EV3 last year, the car is now official.

The EV3 is built to be a slightly smaller, cheaper version of the EV9 -- following the path of the Rivian R2, which arrived after the Rivian R1S. It's certainly not as technologically advanced as the EV9, but it still looks unmistakably like a modern Kia, and is clearly a sibling of the larger SUV. On the outside, the vehicle has the same split taillights and very similar Tiger Face front. But it is quite a bit smaller. The vehicle will be available in nine finishes -- however only "Aventurine Green" and "Terracotta" are being announced right now.

Read more
The Kia EV9 is the template for a modern car interior — here’s why
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

Carmakers are in the process of reinventing the wheel. While some companies are simply slapping an electric powertrain in an existing chassis and calling it a day, the majority of companies are taking the transition to electrified as an opportunity to redesign their lineups completely -- both outside and in. Just look at the EV6, a car that would be impossible to imagine in Kia's lineup just five years ago.

But while the fresh and new exterior designs are fun to look at, it's the interior that really impacts the driving experience. And while plenty of companies are making great changes to their car interiors, in my opinion, there's no carmaker that has created a better experience than Kia with the new EV9.

Read more