What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2020 Kia Niro Electric?
Residential EV chargers often pump out 48 or 50 amps, but your Kia Niro Electric tops out at 32 amps. Feeding this crossover anything larger changes nothing about your daily routine. You need a 32-amp Level 2 setup to hit the maximum onboard charging rate of 7.2 kW. Do not waste money on a bigger unit.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 7.2 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 10.0 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 24 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 50 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 4.8 miles |
| EPA rated range | 239 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 71.7 kWh at the wall |
Why 32 amps and not more
The onboard charger dictates your charging speed, not the wall unit. Pumping 40 or 48 amps into this vehicle yields the exact same speed as a 32-amp supply. A 32-amp EVSE restores 24 miles of range per hour, taking 10.0 hours to replenish the 71.7 kWh battery completely. Buying a higher-amp charger buys you zero extra speed. The car refuses the excess current anyway.
What the install involves
You need a dedicated circuit paired with a 40 A breaker. Use a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire the equipment directly. Hire a licensed electrician for this work. Code requires proper wire sizing and torque specs to handle continuous loads safely.
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
- What connector does this car use?
- The vehicle uses a J1772 connector for all standard Level 2 charging. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 relies on this plug.
- Can I use a standard wall outlet?
- Standard household outlets deliver Level 1 power. That method crawls at 4.8 miles of hour and takes 50 hours for a full charge.
- Why does the EPA test show different charge times?
- The EPA test runs at a slightly different pace, yielding 9.5 hours and 25 miles of range per hour. Real-world maximum rate testing puts a full charge at 10.0 hours.
- Do I need a 40-amp breaker for a 32-amp charger?
- Yes. Continuous loads require a breaker rated 125 percent above the maximum draw.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2020 Kia Niro 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.