What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2019 Kia Soul Electric?
Thirty-two amps is the exact number you need. Your car draws a maximum of 32 amps on a Level 2 setup. Buying a bigger charger gets you nothing extra.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 6.6 kW (32 A) |
|---|---|
| Charger size to buy | 32 A |
| Circuit breaker required | 40 A |
| Outlet / connection | NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 40 A breaker, or hardwired |
| Charge port | J1772 |
| Full charge on Level 2 | about 5.3 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 21 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 24 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 4.6 miles |
| EPA rated range | 111 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 34.7 kWh at the wall |
Why 32 amps and not more
The onboard charger dictates your charging speed, and this Kia maxes out at 6.6 kW. Hooking it up to a 48 amp or 50 amp supply changes nothing because the car cannot draw the extra juice. A 32 amp Level 2 supply refills the 34.7 kWh battery from empty in 5.3 hours. You gain 21 miles of range for every hour plugged in. Standard Level 1 charging takes 24 hours for the same job, which is too slow for daily driving.
What the install involves
You need a 40 amp breaker to feed the circuit safely. Run copper wire rated for 40 amps from your main panel to the parking spot. Plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire the unit directly to the line. Call a licensed electrician to pull the wire, land the breaker, and check that your main panel has spare capacity for the load.
Chargers that match this car
Rugged metal enclosure, built for outdoor use.
Portable cordset. Works on 120 V or a 240 V outlet.
Plugs into an existing 14-50 outlet, no hardwiring.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- Can I use a 40 amp or 50 amp charger?
- You can plug a 40 amp unit into your setup, but your car will only draw 32 amps. The vehicle limits the draw to its maximum onboard capacity of 6.6 kW.
- What plug does the car require?
- The car uses a J1772 connector for all AC Level 2 charging sessions. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses this standard.
- How long does a full charge take?
- A full charge takes 5.3 hours at the maximum Level 2 rate. The EPA test lists 5.0 hours because those specific test cycles do not always run at the absolute peak rate.
- Do I need a special adapter for public chargers?
- You can use a Tesla to J1772 charging adapter if you want to plug into Tesla Destination Chargers. The car connects natively to standard public J1772 hardware.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2019 Kia Soul Electric. Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.