What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Thirty-two amps is the peak AC rate for this EV. Plug the car into a Level 2 supply and it refills in 9.7 hours. You need a 40 A breaker to run that circuit safely. Standard garage charging requires the right hardware.
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 9.7 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 27 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 48 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.3 miles |
| EPA rated range | 258 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 69.7 kWh at the wall |
Why 32 amps and not more
The onboard charger caps power draw at 32 A. Buying a 48 A or 50 A unit wastes money because the car cannot draw the extra juice. A 32 A charger delivers 27 miles of range every hour. That speed easily covers an overnight turnaround from an empty battery. Pushing more amperage into the port does nothing.
What the install involves
A 40 A breaker protects the supply lines. You can use a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire the equipment directly to the panel. Hardwiring removes the potential failure point of a mechanical plug in a garage. Call a licensed electrician to run the heavy gauge wire and mount the box.
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 plug does this car use?
- The charge port accepts a standard J1772 connector. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses this plug for Level 2 AC charging.
- Can I plug into a standard wall outlet?
- Level 1 charging works on a regular household outlet, but it takes 48 hours for a full refill. You get 5.3 miles of range per hour that way.
- Will a 40 A charger charge faster than a 32 A unit?
- No. The car limits AC intake to 32 A regardless of how much power the wall box can push.
- Why does the EPA charge time differ from the max rate?
- The EPA test does not always run at the car's peak AC rate, which accounts for the 9.0 hour rating versus the 9.7 hour max rate calculation.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2021 Hyundai Kona 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.