What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Many buyers purchase a 48-amp or 50-amp Level 2 charger and waste hundreds of dollars on capacity the car cannot touch. Your 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric tops out at 32 amps on AC power. Buying a bigger unit gets you zero extra speed. Match the hardware to the vehicle limit.
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 10.0 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 26 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 50 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.1 miles |
| EPA rated range | 258 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 72.2 kWh at the wall |
Why 32 amps and not more
The 72.2 kWh battery needs a 32-amp Level 2 supply to hit its maximum onboard charging rate of 7.2 kW. Feeding it a larger circuit changes nothing because the onboard charger acts as a strict bottleneck. You get 26 miles of range per hour of charging at this limit. The car goes from empty to full in 10.0 hours. Pumping more amps upstream generates heat, not speed.
What the install involves
You need a 40-amp breaker to safely supply the 32-amp maximum draw. Wire it to a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire the EVSE directly. Hardwiring removes a mechanical connection that can degrade over time. Call an electrician to verify your panel has the spare capacity and to run the proper gauge wire. Do not guess on torque specs at the terminals.
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
- Can I plug this car into a standard wall outlet?
- Yes, but Level 1 charging takes 50 hours to fill the battery from empty. It adds 5.1 miles of range per hour. Most drivers upgrade to Level 2.
- What connector does the car use?
- It uses a J1772 connector for AC Level 2 charging. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses this standard.
- What is the EPA charge time?
- The EPA test rates a full charge at 9.5 hours, yielding 27 miles of range per hour. Real-world conditions and charging losses account for the minor variance from the peak 10.0 hour calculation.
- Do I need a permit for the installation?
- Local building codes almost always require a permit for a new 240-volt circuit. Check with your municipality before starting work.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2022 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.