It's time to bid farewell to one of the more irritating aspects present in electric cars, and I'm hoping the Kia EV6 will spearhead this change.

It was delightful to encounter the newest addition. 2026 Kia EV4 At the New York Auto Show this week, it was presented in its U.S.-specific configuration. There’s no denying that sedans aren’t particularly favored in today’s American automotive scene, especially those with electric powertrains. However, the EV4 aims to stand out significantly. This model boasts an impressive maximum range of 330 miles, eye-catching design, and an expected base price under $35,000. Additionally, featuring a standard Tesla-like North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector adds further appeal.

I find it intriguing to spot NACS adapters on non-Tesla vehicles since they provide convenient access to Tesla Superchargers, making long drives much more manageable. However, upon inspecting the EV4’s charging port at the exhibition, I discovered that this vehicle is also doing several things correctly concerning electric vehicle charging.

Unlike its larger counterparts, the Kia EV6 and EV9 , the EV4 eliminates the motorized charging door in favor of a simple flap that opens similarly to a gasoline-powered vehicle’s fuel cap. Allow me to say this: This is exactly how it ought to be done.

One of my least favored aspects of contemporary electric vehicles is their automated charging doors. In my EV6, for instance, I approach the vehicle, push the small indentation on the door panel—or use an interior button—and hope fervently that it isn’t malfunctioning and won’t cause me any hassle when opening.

Surely, I’ve never experienced problems with the power door on my vehicle. Yet, I remain perpetually anxious about potential issues. What if one of the small motors within malfunctions? Or what if dust or particles get lodged inside? And how do we ensure safety should anything happen externally? Moreover, how would I recharge my electric car if any component of this mechanism were to fail? Given its critical role in daily use, simplicity should be prioritized. While making the charging flap automatic might seem advanced and sophisticated, it introduces unnecessary complexity that raises concerns.

Allow me to frame it like this: Throughout my career as an automotive journalist spanning several years, and with over twenty years of personal experience behind the wheel, I have rarely come across issues related to the malfunctioning of traditional fuel tank caps. If something isn’t faulty, there’s no reason for alteration.

Forums , Reddit and social media accounts are filled with terrifying tales about faulty door charges. You can observe this above. a video Regarding a damaged door on the Chevy Blazer EV, which features a motorized port absent in both the Equinox EV and the Honda Prologue. Keep in mind that the police edition of the Blazer EV receives a manual charging door—an unspoken acknowledgment that, if you depend on the vehicle, you truly cannot risk having this critical component break down.

Sure, it’s not like all electric vehicles come with a power-operated charging door. Even within the Hyundai Motor Group lineup, this feature isn’t universal. Typically, the conventional flap-style port is found on entry-level, more budget-friendly electric models. the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia Niro EV. (Of course, the EV4’s sibling, the boxy one,) EV3 crossover , also works the same way.) But I think that the manual door flap should spread to all of its EVs, and even become some kind of regulated industry standard. At the very least, cars should be required to offer a manual backup option if there is a failure. Keeping this process as simple as possible seems like the best way to avoid problems with arguably your EV's most important function.

Currently, some automotive manufacturers claim that incorporating an automated door lends their vehicles a superior ambiance. However, my experience suggests otherwise; each Polestar model I've operated thus far has proven quite delightful without this feature. Instead, they rely on conventional fuel tank caps which function perfectly well. This may be disappointing news for those who worry excessively over such details. the new Polestar 4 takes the powerful approach, and I don't believe the vehicle benefits from it.

I had my most negative encounter with this feature last year. on a Rivian R1T , which I generally found to be remarkably good. The truck’s charging door became jammed in a halfway open position when the mechanical arm responsible for moving it out and around snapped off during a car wash incident.

Admittedly, some of the issue stemmed from user error. I set out to find information about Rivian's Car Wash mode However, I didn’t spot it within the software system. This feature ensures that the door stays securely closed during the wash cycle, preventing the charging door from accidentally opening when the brushes extend or when it’s exposed to high-pressure water jets. Still, why would any vehicle require a specific "Car Wash" mode? Is it realistic to expect regular drivers to always recall enabling this setting, and risk significant repair costs if they forget? It seems simpler to have a standard access panel for the charging port instead.

As electric vehicles evolve from luxury items akin to spaceships into everyday cars accessible to all, it’s crucial for the automotive sector to simplify their complexity. Personally, I don’t consider this an essential feature for EVs; however, in my opinion, the EV4 has gotten it right with this approach.

Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com

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