Kia China teams up with Shell to bolster EV charging infrastructure construction

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On August 12, Kia China and Shell China officially inked a strategic cooperation agreement under which the two entities are poised to embark on an in-depth collaboration centered around charging infrastructure development. The inaugural collaborative endeavor has materialized in the form of a supercharging station in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, which has already been put into operation.

This collaborative station is equipped with 360 kW ultra-fast chargers, perfectly tailored to complement Kia's 800V high-speed charging system for its electric vehicles. Remarkably, this technology can propel a vehicle's charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, while a mere 5-minute charge can augment the driving range by 100 kilometers.

Photo credit: Kia

Furthermore, the charging station boasts a versatile power output range of 300-1,000V, offering a wide array of smart switching modes, encompassing both high-efficiency and quiet operation. The station supports dual-gun or dual-pile charging simultaneously, making the charging process even faster. It also houses advanced features such as 1000 instances of raw interaction data storage between battery management system (BMS) and charging piles, an illuminated touch screen for enhanced clarity, and automatic screen-off during standby.

Beyond these technical features, the charging station's capabilities extend to 200-1000V wide voltage output, operating on the Linux system. It supports multi-platform access, catering to both older and newer generation vehicles' charging requirements. Furthermore, it accommodates a variety of payment methods, including app-based, QR code, and VIN automatic recognition, facilitating seamless user experiences. The station is also equipped for future enhancement and power expansion.

In a bid to cater to the burgeoning demand for electric vehicles in China, Kia unveiled its mid-to-long-term electric mobility strategy in March this year. The plan entails introducing six pure electric vehicles developed on dedicated EV platforms by 2027, targeting annual sales of 450,000 units by 2030, 40% of which will be battery electric vehicles.

Looking ahead, Kia and Shell intend to expand their collaboration beyond the Nanjing supercharging station, working together to establish a network of supercharging stations across key cities nationwide. The partnership will also encompass collaborations with local charging companies such as FLEETIN, further expanding the foundational charging network and offering Chinese customers convenient and efficient charging services.