Kia Optima PHEV EV charger: which one fits best?
The Kia Optima PHEV is a plug-in hybrid with a usable 9.8 kWh battery and an onboard charger that handles 3.7 kW at most. That means this car charges at the same speed on every EV charger, whether the unit delivers 3.7 kW or 22 kW. A heavier charger adds nothing to the charging speed of an Optima PHEV. What does make a difference is how your charging gets recorded. A MID-certified kWh meter is the one thing worth deciding on before you buy, and in the 7.4 kW class that means adding one separately. Charging power differs per Kia, so the advice does too: our overview of Kia EV chargers has a separate page for each model.
For the Kia Optima PHEV we recommend a charger from our 7.4 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the Kia Optima PHEV
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 9.8 kWh |
| Max. AC charging power (at home) | 3.7 kW (single phase, 16 A) |
| Charging connector | Type 2 (Mennekes) |
| Charging time with an EV charger | approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes |
| DC fast charging | not available |
Why a heavier EV charger buys you nothing
Heavier here means three phase. Plug the Optima PHEV into an 11 kW or a 22 kW unit and it still charges at 3.7 kW, so you pay for capacity you never use. Going lighter is not the answer either: 7.4 kW is the smallest single-phase class we stock, it runs on an ordinary single-phase connection, and the headroom costs you nothing if a faster-charging car follows this one. That makes our 7.4 kW EV chargers the logical pick.
Already have a three-phase connection at home and expect a fully electric car later? Then an 11 kW charger is worth considering to future-proof the installation. For the Optima PHEV itself it makes no difference to the charging time.
Which EV charger fits the Kia Optima PHEV?
Since the charging speed is the same whatever you plug into, you choose on features instead. The one that matters most is a MID meter, a certified kWh meter that logs your charging officially. A certified meter separates your charging from the rest of your household use, so you can see per session what the car actually costs you, split it with a housemate or a landlord, and hand an employer or lease company a figure they accept without discussion. In the Netherlands there is more on offer: since 2026 private drivers can claim back up to 500 euro a year on home charging costs through their energy supplier, and business drivers settle their use through ERE registration. Both need a MID-certified meter, and both apply in the Netherlands only. Our 7.4 kW range has no model with a built-in meter, so if you need that proof you either have a separate certified kWh meter fitted in your distribution board, or pick from the EV chargers with a MID meter. Those start at 11 kW, more than the Optima PHEV can use, but they supply the reading themselves.
Because a plug-in hybrid gets plugged in almost daily, app control earns its keep faster here than on a full EV: you shift the session to your cheapest tariff hours and check from indoors that it ran. If you want the simplest option, the home EV chargers are the easiest entry point, and drivers who settle their charging with a company can start from the company EV chargers.
How long does the Kia Optima PHEV take to charge?
The sum is straightforward: 9.8 kWh divided by 3.7 kW comes out at roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes for a full charge. A 7.4 kW or 22 kW unit does not change that, because the car sets the pace. On an ordinary socket at 2.3 kW it takes a little longer, around 4 hours and a quarter. For a plug-in hybrid with a battery this size, the difference in daily use is small.
Other versions of the Kia Optima
Wallbox Discounter also has charging information for the other version of the Kia Optima:
- Kia Optima Sportswagon PHEV, the estate (station wagon) version
Frequently asked questions
Does the Kia Optima PHEV need a three-phase EV charger?
No. The Optima PHEV charges on a single phase at 3.7 kW at most, so a single-phase charger is more than enough. A three-phase 11 kW or 22 kW unit will not charge this car any faster, because the onboard charger caps the power.
Why does a MID meter matter for the Kia Optima PHEV?
A MID-certified kWh meter records your charging officially. It separates the car from the rest of your household use, so you know per session what it costs, and it gives an employer or a lease company a figure they accept without discussion. In the Netherlands it is also the condition for claiming back home charging costs, whether privately through your energy supplier or through ERE registration as a business driver; both apply in the Netherlands only. Note that our 7.4 kW range carries no built-in meter, so you would pair the charger with a separate certified kWh meter.
Do I need to have the EV charger installed?
We always recommend having the connection made by a certified electrician, because it is safer and it matters for your insurance. Which rules apply depends on the country you live in. We arrange installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany. The Optima PHEV needs no heavier connection: 16 A and 3.7 kW is within reach of any home installation, including a single-phase one.