Kia Soul EV Charging Cable
Quick recommendation
A second generation Kia e-Soul charges at 7.2 kW on AC through a Type 2 inlet. A first generation Kia Soul EV charges at up to 6.6 kW through a Type 1 inlet. That is the whole Kia Soul EV charging cable decision, and the registration year will not settle it, because both cars were sold on 2019 plates. Open the flap and look at the DC socket instead. A round CHAdeMO port beside the inlet means the older car and a Type 1 lead. A CCS port, which is the inlet with two large pins added underneath, means the newer car and a Type 2 lead.
Both generations charge through a flap set into the middle of the front grille, so the cable has to reach the nose of the car whichever Soul is sitting on the drive. Kia has never put the socket anywhere else on this model.
For the e-Soul, order the 32A single phase Type 2 to Type 2 cable. Its 7.2 kW charger is a single phase unit, which suits British wiring exactly, since a domestic supply carries one phase and hands over up to 7.4 kW. We do not list a 22 kW three phase lead for this car and there would be no point in one, because there is nothing on a Soul for the extra two phases to feed.
16A is a false economy on a 64 kWh e-Soul. The car is held to 3.7 kW, which turns a 10 hour fill into one lasting 19 hours 30 minutes, so the battery cannot get from empty to full inside a night. Miles recovered per hour halve, from about 32 to 16. That gap is why the 16A lead only makes sense on the small first generation battery.
There is a second cable worth owning, and it is the 3-pin one. Our Type 2 to 3-Pin Charging Cable moves 2.3 kW from a household 13 amp socket into an e-Soul, roughly 10 miles an hour, which is about 80 miles across a long night away from home. It fits the Type 2 cars only, so first generation owners cannot use one. Our guide to charging from a domestic socket sets out what to expect.
Owners moving on from a Soul usually land on the Niro, and the Kia Niro charging cable page sets out all three of its powertrains. For the newer 800 volt cars there is the Kia EV6 charging cable page. The full list sits in Kia EV charging cables, and every Type 1 lead we make is in Type 1 charging cables.
A 2 year manufacturer's warranty covers every lead on this page. The Type 2 to Type 2 cables are rated IP55, the Type 2 to 3-Pin cable is sealed to IP67, and both are made to IEC 62196 Type 2 with CE certification. They keep working from -30C to +50C, or +60C for the 3-pin, and every order qualifies for same-day dispatch on working-day orders placed before 2pm.
Kia Soul EV Charging Times by Generation
e-Soul, second generation, 64 kWh usable, up to 280 miles WLTP
Maximum onboard AC charging speed: 7.2 kW, single phase
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Range Added Per Hour | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 16A (5m / 10m) | 3.7 kW | 19 hours 30 mins | approx. 16 miles | Too slow for this battery |
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.2 kW (car limited) | 10 hours | approx. 32 miles | Best Fit at home |
| Type 2 to 3-Pin (5m / 10m) | 2.3 kW | 31 hours 30 mins | approx. 10 miles | Ideal backup |
Soul EV, first generation, 30 kWh, about 179 miles NEDC
Maximum onboard AC charging speed: 6.6 kW, single phase, through a Type 1 inlet
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Range Added Per Hour | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 to Type 2, 16A (5m) | 3.7 kW | 9 hours 15 mins | approx. 22 miles | The only cable that fits this car |
Soul EV, first generation, 27 kWh, about 132 miles NEDC
Maximum onboard AC charging speed: 6.6 kW on later cars, 3.3 kW is quoted for some early ones, through a Type 1 inlet
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Range Added Per Hour | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 to Type 2, 16A (5m) | 3.7 kW | 8 hours 15 mins | approx. 18 miles | The only cable that fits this car |
The first generation Soul EV predates WLTP testing, so the ranges above are the older NEDC figures and real world mileage will be lower. Expect lower figures in winter and on long fast runs.
Kia Soul EV Charging Cable FAQs
Which cable fits a Kia Soul EV?
It depends which Soul you have. A second generation Kia e-Soul wants the 32A single phase Type 2 to Type 2 cable. A first generation Kia Soul EV has a Type 1 inlet and needs the Type 1 to Type 2 cable instead. Nothing else will physically connect.
How do I tell a first generation Soul EV from an e-Soul?
Look at the DC socket in the grille flap. A first generation Kia Soul EV has a round CHAdeMO port next to a Type 1 inlet. The second generation e-Soul has CCS, which looks like a Type 2 inlet with two large pins below it. Both cars appear on 2019 registrations, so the plate is no help at all.
Does a Kia e-Soul need a 22kW three phase cable?
No, and we do not stock one for it. The Kia e-Soul has a 7.2 kW single phase onboard charger, so the extra two phases in a 22 kW lead would have nothing to connect to. The 32A single phase cable already delivers everything the car will accept.
How long does a Kia e-Soul take to charge at home?
About 10 hours from empty on a 32A cable with the 64 kWh battery, or about 19 hours 30 minutes on a 16A one. A 30 kWh first generation Kia Soul EV takes roughly 9 hours 15 minutes on its Type 1 lead, and the 27 kWh car about 8 hours 15 minutes.
What length of cable does a Kia Soul EV need?
5m suits a Kia Soul EV parked nose in, since the charging flap sits in the middle of the grille and the car is only 4.2 metres long. Choose 10m if the wallbox is behind where the car stops, if a second vehicle shares the drive, or if you charge at the kerb.
Can I take my own cable to a public charge point?
Yes, and on a Kia Soul EV you usually have to. Most AC posts in the UK are untethered, so the socket is bare and the driver supplies the lead. First generation Soul EV owners need the Type 1 to Type 2 cable for those bays, because the post end of every public AC socket is Type 2.