What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Standard household wiring can push 50 amps through a circuit, but your car caps AC intake at 32 amps. That limit dictates your home setup. You need a 32 amp Level 2 charger to hit the maximum onboard charging rate of 7.2 kW. Anything larger is a waste of money.
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 9.8 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 26 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 49 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.2 miles |
| EPA rated range | 258 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 70.9 kWh at the wall |
Why 32 amps and not more
Buying a 40 amp or 48 amp supply unit changes nothing for your daily refill time. Your battery takes 7.2 kW maximum, so extra juice from the wall gets dropped at the onboard inverter. Stick to the recommended 32 amp equipment. You will pull 26 miles of range per hour of charging. A full tank from empty takes 9.8 hours at this rate.
What the install involves
Your setup requires a 40 amp breaker paired with a NEMA 14-50 outlet, or you can hardwire the unit directly. Hire an electrician for this work. They must run heavy-gauge copper wiring from your main panel to the garage. Do not attempt DIY wiring on a high-amperage continuous load circuit.
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
- How long does a full charge take?
- Level 2 charging takes 9.8 hours to fill the 70.9 kWh battery from empty. Standard household Level 1 charging takes 49 hours.
- What plug type does the car use?
- The charge port uses a J1772 connector. This plug fits every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024.
- Can I use a bigger charger?
- You can install a 40 amp unit, but the car still draws only 32 amps. The vehicle dictates the draw rate.
- What is the EPA charge time?
- The EPA test estimates a 9.5 hour charge time for Level 2 equipment. That test does not always run at the exact peak AC rate.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2023 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.