Price on a new original charger from KIA

[EBG]

Hi.

I recently spoke to my car dealer (original KIA dealer) and I was told that a new charger with schuko cost 920$(!).

I am thinking about getting another one for redundancy and perhaps some of you guys know about other places where I can get one.

The car dealer also said that using a third-party charger would void the warranty. Should I be worried? Have anyone of you experience any troubles caused by using a third-party charger?

- Cheers

 

[GizmoEV]

By "charger" I assume you mean the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Support Equipment) like the one that comes with the vehicle where one end plugs into a standard wall outlet and the other into the car. The EVSE is actually a glorified extension cord with a little smarts. The charger is actually in the car it self except for the CHAdeMO port where the charger is actually not in the car.

I don't know what country you are in so keep in mind I'm in the US. First of all, the warranty voiding your dealer is talking about is bogus. The warranty is NOT voided just because you use a third party EVSE. I picked up an extra EVSE from EVSEupgrade.com that was originally from a Nissan Leaf and is made by Panasonic. The benefit of this one over the one which came with the Soul EV is that I can program what charge rate it tells the car to use and it works on 120VAC and 240VAC. There are several other options available. An internet search with key word EVSE turns up several options. If you want an open source version check out openevse.com.

Just remember that the Kia Soul EV has a 6.6kW OBC (on-board charger) which means that at 240VAC it would draw 27.5A of current so if you want the fastest charge rate on 240V you need a 30A EVSE.

 

[Ptrs]

I have been looking into several options myself and as this is my first EV I am not ready to have a permanent charger installed just yet.

My understanding it will not void your warranty, if you think about it your warranty would be void the first time you recharge at a public site then.

True, I and the other can only post what is in the US.

As long as you do not try and convert the charger to 240 volt yourself and cause it to shorts out.

The rout I am looking to go and looks the most cost effective until I commit to a home charger is having the charge that came with the car upgraded to smart EVSE that can use either 110 or 240 with a selection of plug converters.

 

[AndY1]

Hi.

I recently spoke to my car dealer (original KIA dealer) and I was told that a new charger with schuko cost 920$(!).

I am thinking about getting another one for redundancy and perhaps some of you guys know about other places where I can get one.

The car dealer also said that using a third-party charger would void the warranty. Should I be worried? Have anyone of you experience any troubles caused by using a third-party charger?

- Cheers

Since you're writing about the Schuko plug, I assume, you're from Europe, where we have 230V@16A Schuko plugs. Using any other EVSE (the cable with the box and the plug you got with the car) won't void your warranty. The car doesn't even know, what EVSE is being plugged in. The pilot signal only communicates with the car, so the car knows the maximum current it can draw.

And don't buy original Kia EVSE for 900 EUR!!! That's a theft of a price.

Buy this for example. Half cheaper and much more mobile (no box) and with adjustable current: http://eauto.si/metron-shop/?product=charging-cable-pc01-type1-16a

And if you will charge from public charging stations with type2 Mennekes plug, buy this: http://eauto.si/metron-shop/?product=type-1-to-type-2-32a-1-phase-carrier-case

 

[EBG]

Hi guys.

Thanks for all the replies and help.

@GizmoEV Your assumption is right. I of course mean EVSE. Indeed. There is many out there and hard to know which one is better than the other.

@Press: I am also under the impression that it would not void the warranty, but the car seller said they would not take responsibility if the charger would damage something in the car.

@Andy1: You're right. I am in Europe. I know. It insane how the can charge that much for a charger.

 

[AndY1]

Buy the one I gave you the link: http://eauto.si/metron-shop/?product=charging-cable-pc01-type1-16a

The company, that makes them, is from a world known world record holder of EV vehicles and EV vehicle conversions:
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/16/wave-2015-new-record-metron-7-with-513-miles-one-charge/
http://www.wavetrophy.com/en/trophy/
http://www.ad-pecjak.si/ECO/Ecar.htm