What home charger does the Kia Soul EV need?
| Model years | Trims | Charger | Breaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | all trims | 32 A | 40 A |
| 2019 | all trims | 32 A | 40 A |
A 32 A charger on a 40 A breaker suits both the 2019 and 2020 Kia Soul EV. The 2019 car accepts 6.6 kW and the 2020 accepts 7.2 kW, and a 32 A unit supplies either one at full speed.
Why the amperage matters
Neither car can use more than 32 A, so a bigger charger is money wasted. A 24 A charger on a 30 A circuit is the step down, and it brings a 2020 from 25 miles of range per hour to 19. On a car driven around town, that slower unit is often enough.
Charging time by model year
| Year | EPA range | Level 2, miles per hour | Level 2, empty to full | 120 V, miles per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 243 mi | 25 | 9.8 h | 4.9 |
| 2019 | 111 mi | 21 | 5.3 h | 4.6 |
Level 2 figures assume a charger that supplies the car's full rate. Where a year shows a range, it spans that year's trims.
These are two very different cars. The 2019 Soul EV has 111 miles of range and fills in 5.3 hours at 21 miles per hour. The redesigned 2020 car has 243 miles of range, a faster onboard charger, and needs 9.8 hours from empty.
What the install involves
A 32 A charger runs on a 40 A breaker and can plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet, which keeps the installation straightforward. Keep the circuit short where you can, since the cost of the job rises with every foot of heavy copper between the panel and the car.
- 32 A charger: 40 A breaker, NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 40 A breaker, or hardwired.
- Charge port: J1772. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses the J1772 connector for AC Level 2 charging.
Chargers that fit the Kia Soul EV
Smallest adequate unit first. Every amp above what the car accepts is capacity it never uses.
No home unit in this list is built at exactly 32 A, so these are the smallest that cover it. The car draws only what it can take.
App scheduling and adjustable current from 16 A to 40 A.
Plugs into an existing 14-50 outlet, no hardwiring.
Rugged metal enclosure, built for outdoor use.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- Does a 2019 Kia Soul EV need a different charger from a 2020?
- No. Both work with a 32 A charger on a 40 A breaker.
- How long does a Kia Soul EV take to charge?
- About 5.3 hours from empty for a 2019 and 9.8 hours for a 2020.
- Can a Kia Soul EV use a NEMA 14-50 outlet?
- Yes. A 32 A plug-in charger on a 14-50 outlet with a 40 A breaker is a good match.
- How much does a 120 V outlet add to a Kia Soul EV?
- About 4.6 to 4.9 miles of range per hour.
Other models
Range and efficiency come from EPA data for the Kia Soul EV, covering 2 EPA listings across 2 model years. Onboard charger ratings are from manufacturer specifications. Breakers follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a continuous load at 125%. Have a licensed electrician check your panel before buying.