The Kia EV6 shares its platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but the two cars attract different buyers. If you have recently bought an EV6 or are considering one, sorting out your charging setup early will save you time and frustration down the line.
The EV6 has a Type 2 charging port on the rear right side. It accepts AC charging at up to 11kW on three phase or 7.2kW on the single phase supply found in almost every UK home. For rapid charging, the car supports CCS at up to 233kW, but those chargers come with their own cables.
Why you need a separate cable
Kia includes a basic Mode 2 cable for charging from a domestic 3-pin socket. At 2.3kW, a full charge takes the best part of a day. It is fine in an emergency but is not a practical daily solution.
Most UK wallboxes are untethered. They have a Type 2 socket but no cable attached. You need to supply your own Mode 3 Type 2 to Type 2 cable. This is the cable that delivers the faster 7.2kW charge speed and makes overnight charging possible.
What to look for in a cable
Get a 32A cable. This matches the EV6 onboard charger capacity on a single phase supply and ensures you charge at the maximum speed available. A 16A cable would work but halves your charge rate for no good reason.
Length is important. The rear right charge port position means a short cable can be awkward if your wallbox is mounted on the opposite side or if you cannot always park in the same direction. Seven metres gives you the flexibility to reach without excess cable trailing on the ground.
Weight and build quality matter too. A cable you use twice a day needs to feel good in the hand, coil easily, and survive being thrown in the boot. Cheap cables with stiff plastic and shiny connector heads feel unpleasant after a few weeks. Look for TPU sheathing, which stays flexible in cold weather, and matte connector housings that resist scratches.
Public charging situations
The EV6 is a road trip car. Its rapid charging capability makes long journeys easy, but between those rapid stops, you will encounter plenty of AC chargers that need your own cable. Workplace chargers, car park chargers, and hotel chargers are often untethered Type 2 sockets. A cable in the boot means you are always ready.
Accessories worth having
A carry bag stops your cable from rattling around the boot and picking up dirt. A wall mount at home keeps it off the garage floor and makes the daily plug-in routine faster. A magnetic charge port cover keeps rain out of the port while charging outdoors. None of these are essential on day one, but most EV6 owners end up buying them within the first few months of ownership.
Get the cable right and the rest of EV6 ownership is straightforward.
Cables for other cars:
