The Kia Charge public charging network has passed the 30,000-connector milestone just two years after it launched.

The total number of connectors available on the Kia Charge network has grown by 48% in the last 12 months, passing the 30,000-charger milestone

The service, exclusive to Kia drivers and spanning 27 different charging networks, has increased the total number of connectors available by 48% in the last 12 months, reaching 30,324 chargers.

Within this, the number of chargers offering peak charging speeds of more than 100kW has nearly trebled (189% growth).

Kia said the rise reflects both the strong growth in electric charging infrastructure and its own abilities at adding new operators to its solution.

The service now provides access to more than 3,500 DC fast chargers, including more than 900 over-100kW connectors. This has been supported by ultra-rapid charging operator Ionity’s work to increase its connector numbers.

Other networks include BP Pulse, Ubitricity Shell, Source London, InstaVolt, Pod Point, Osprey and Shell Recharge.

Kia Charge also offers fully renewable charging; the carmaker compensates all charging activity via Kia Charge with 100% renewable wind power.

Drivers can choose between two different subscriptions – ‘Easy’ and ‘Plus’ – and two bolt-on packages are available, cutting prices for Ionity and BP Pulse.

Kia has also recently launched a new initiative, enabling users to collect credit for free EV charging through a partnership with the ‘&Charge’ rewards programme. Customers can earn credits by providing information and feedback on public charging stations or by shopping at hundreds of UK retailers.

While its Kia Charge service is going from strength to strength, Kia also continues to hit new highs in the UK. In 2022, sales of its plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles contributed heavily to the brand’s record-breaking year, accounting for over 20% of all the brand’s sales last year. So far in 2023, plug-in and EV sales are off to a strong start, totalling more than a quarter of Kia UK’s sales year-to-date.

Globally, Kia plans to offer a line-up of 14 EVs by 2027. Recent arrivals include the EV6 and the new Niro EV. The next EV due from the brand is the EV9, launching in the UK later in 2023 with the same 800V rapid-charging technology as the EV6.