Kia EV6 sets electric vehicle world record for shortest charging time to cross the United States

The 2022 Kia EV6 has made it into the Guinness World Records after travelling across the United States mainland with the shortest required charging time.

Announced during the brand’s 2021 LA Auto Show press conference, the EV6 needed seven hours, 10 minutes and one second of charging to complete the 4635 kilometre trek from New York City to Los Angeles – beating the previous record holder, the 2015 Tesla Model S P85D, by more than five-and-a-half hours (12 hours, 48 minutes and 19 seconds).

During the seven-day trip, Kia claims the EV6 was plugged into a fast charger for an average of around 20 minutes per stop – presumably using the Electrify America network, in addition to other public services.

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Our quick calculations show the EV6 required approximately 21 recharges during its journey across the United States, with each stop needed around every 220km – likely with some battery juice remaining to ensure a favourable charging time.

"The EV6's record-setting run is the latest signal that Kia will be a leader in the popularization [sic] of electric vehicles," said Russell Wager, vice president of marketing at Kia America.

However, while the Kia EV6 may now officially take the number one spot in Guinness World Record's history, other electric vehicles have achieved a similar feat when travelling across the United States mainland.

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In October 2021, a rented Tesla Model S Long Range broke the famous coast-to-coast Cannonball Run record – from Long Island, New York to Emeryville, California – for an electric vehicle.

During its journey, the Model S spent seven hours and 12 minutes charging, completing the race in 42 hours and 17 minutes. This new record beats the previous Cannonball milestone set by the Porsche Taycan, which crossed the US in 44 hours and 26 minutes – two hours longer than the Model S.

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Closer to home, the Kia EV6 is set to launch in Australia during the first half of 2022 – with stock initially limited to 500 examples.

Local pricing and specification details have yet to be announced, however, it’s believed the line-up will consist of ‘base’ and GT-Line variants, available with a 58kWh battery or 77.4kWh battery, in either rear- or all-wheel drive.