What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2020 Kia Soul Electric?
You need a 32 amp Level 2 home charging setup for this car. The onboard charger caps your AC power draw at 6.6 kW. Buying a larger charging unit will not speed up your daily turnaround.
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 10.7 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 23 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 49 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 4.9 miles |
| EPA rated range | 243 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 70.9 kWh at the wall |
Why 32 amps and not more
The car draws 32 amps because its onboard hardware stops right there. Feeding it more juice from a heavier supply accomplishes nothing. The vehicle ignores the extra capacity. You will get 23 miles of range for every hour plugged into a Level 2 source. A full charge from zero takes 10.7 hours at the maximum rate. The EPA test logs 9.5 hours for a full cycle because standard agency test benches often draw slightly differently during certification runs.
What the install involves
A 40 amp breaker is required to supply the circuit properly. You can plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire the unit directly to the supply lines. Call a qualified electrician to pull the wire and land it on the breaker. They need to verify your main panel has spare physical and amp capacity for the new load before starting.
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 the car use?
- It uses the standard J1772 connector for all AC Level 2 charging equipment. Every non Tesla electric vehicle sold in North America through 2024 uses this plug type.
- Can I use a standard wall outlet?
- Yes, standard Level 1 charging works on a normal household outlet. A full recharge takes 49 hours at that speed, giving you 4.9 miles of range per hour.
- Will a 40 amp charger harm the car?
- No, charging units negotiate the maximum current with the vehicle. The car only takes 32 amps regardless of what the supply equipment can handle.
- Do I need an adapter for Tesla destination chargers?
- You can use an adapter like the Lectron Tesla to J1772 80 amp unit. It lets your car hook up to Tesla Destination Chargers and Wall Connectors.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2020 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.