Kia Motors UK partners with Pod Point to install EV chargers for its customers

Electric vehicle charging provider Pod Point has become the official homecharge provider for Kia Motors UK after the two companies sparked up a two-year partnership.

As part of the arrangement, Pod Point will install smart charging units for the car maker's customers throughout the UK.

The new partnership was announced as the automotive manufacturer launched its 64kWh Kia e-Niro, which has received a raft of plaudits, including the title of Car of the Year 2019.

With a real-world range of 282 miles , the e-Niro, which has a starting price of £32,995 (after the £3,500 Plug-in car grant), is suitable for long-distance drives and daily commutes. It joins Kia's already extensive range of electrically powered models, including the Niro Self-Charging Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid and Soul EV. In 2018, Kia was the UK's sixth bestselling brand of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

Helen Mutter, General Manager Planning and Programmes of Kia Motors, said: “As a brand we want to ensure that our plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle customers have access to the best homecharging solution to maximise the enjoyment of their car. Pod Point impressed us with the quality of smart homechargers and the team's commitment to excellent customer service. We're looking forward to working with them as we roll out one of the most ambitious electrification strategies in the industry.”

All of Pod Point's current range of homechargers are smart as standard, which has a number of benefits, including over the air updates, and the capability to remotely diagnose and fix simple problems. As of July 2019, only smart chargers will be eligible for the Office of Low Emission Vehicle's (OLEV) homecharge grant .

Erik Fairbairn, Pod Point CEO and Founder, added: “Kia Motors have announced some of the most exciting mass market EVs that we're due to see launched in 2019 and we're delighted to be providing homecharge solutions for their customers.”