I’m renting a Kia EV6 for a road trip from north New Jersey to Georgia. I’ll pick it up today, 11/25/2024, and will drive it tomorrow, returning it by Monday, 12/02/2024. I plan to drive straight through both ways. I’ve already set up the basic plan on ABRP and bought an OBD Bluetooth device to use with live vehicle stats. I also have a NACS to CCS adapter but no major Tesla chargers are available along I95 unless the V4 supercharger in Halifax, NC opens up before I leave.
I have some questions regarding charging. Does it really matter if I use a 250kW charger instead of a 350kW charger? I know the full 240kW charging speed is recommended at a 350kW station, but does this really make a difference?
Also, do I need to have my phone plugged in for Android Auto or is it just a suggestion? And if it is necessary, do I use a USB-A to USB-C cable or a USB-C to USB-C cable? I have both and they’re both high quality.
How advanced are the adaptive cruise control and lane-following features? I’ve driven a Tesla since 2018 with autopilot and have also driven the Polestar 2 several times. I’ve seen videos and read about it online, but I’m not 100% sure how Kia’s ADAS works. Does the Hertz rental even come with cruise control?
Does the car have a built-in dash cam or do I need to bring my own?
Also, does the battery performance slow down with charging after several charges? I’ve noticed that with the 2020 Model S, charging speeds would drop after a few charges. Does the Kia EV6 experience this? If it does, how much does it impact charging speeds?
I’ve tried to research this, but there seems to be little information available on these details. Some information is unclear or not explicitly stated, which is why I’m asking here.
Use the fastest charger you can find, but don’t go out of your way for it.
For Android Auto, you can ONLY use the USB-A port near the floor.
Adaptive cruise control is good. I use mine nearly all the time for hands-free driving on the highway, but I’m not sure what Hertz provides with theirs.
No built-in dash cam.
I’ve never noticed performance issues with charging speeds.
@Rory
I’ve rented several electric cars, and in my experience, rental companies disable all driving assistance features. I rented a Polestar, and even adaptive cruise control was turned off. I’m guessing it’s for safety reasons or something related to insurance policies with rental companies.
@Micah
I used to work for Hertz, and you can re-enable those features as needed. The cars often come with the features turned off for rental/fleet prep, but they don’t get switched back on because many customers dislike the advanced safety features. I work with Enterprise rentals, and my colleagues always turn off things like start-stop as soon as they get in the car.
Regarding the NACS to CCS adapter… Tesla restricts access to their chargers by VIN, so your adapter won’t work. The only Tesla chargers that will work are Magic Docks, which already have the adapter built in.
Tesla Magic Docks should be avoided, as they have a lower maximum voltage and will charge much slower than other chargers.
For the charging speed question, the EV6 can support up to 240kW, so there’s no issue with using a 250kW charger.
As for the cruise control, basic adaptive cruise control and lane centering should be available, though there may be some differences depending on the rental.
The EV6 doesn’t have a built-in dash cam.
I haven’t had any issues with the battery performance slowing down after several charges. The thermal management on the EV6 is pretty good, and the car handles cooling the battery after charging just fine.
Regarding the charger question… the choice between a 250kW and a 350kW charger depends on what you want to do during your charge stops. If your goal is to minimize how long you’re stopped, go for the 350kW charger. But if you’re using the stop for a bathroom break or to grab some food, the 250kW charger might be fine, as it’ll take longer to charge and allow you to do other things.
I personally try not to stress about beating the charger, so if the car has to take 20-30 minutes to charge, I’m okay with it if it lets me rest and do what I need to do. Charging time and stopping time both factor into how you plan your trip, so it’s a balance.
Just a heads up – I have a 2023 model, so it might be different from yours.
For Android Auto, you’ll need a USB-A to USB-C cable. The USB-C port in the car is only for charging.
Adaptive cruise and lane-following are really good. I’ve never driven a Tesla, but I’m comfortable using the system on the highway. It will remind you to touch the steering wheel occasionally, though, just to make sure you’re still engaged.