2019 Kia Niro PHEV
Photo: Kia
Let’s be real — Jeff Bezos likes money. The Amazon founder, chairman, CEO, and President (that’s a lot of titles…) is estimated to be worth $145.3 billion. While Bezos has initiated other ventures like Blue Origin, a human spaceflight startup, Amazon is by far his biggest and most profitable accomplishment. The online retailer came to be in 1994 simply as an online bookstore and evolved into the giant it is today, providing consumers with one-click options to purchase everything from movies and clothes to toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
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Amazon owns over 40 subsidiaries, including the popular live streaming platform Twitch and health food supermarket chain Whole Foods. While Kia is not becoming one of those many subsidiaries, the automaker is partnering with Amazon to help provide charging solutions for electric vehicle owners.
2019 Kia Soul EV
Photo: Kia
One factor that often keeps people from purchasing an electric vehicle is the fear of not understanding the tech behind it. Amazon aims to address this issue head on with a site dedicated to educating drivers about selecting a charger, getting it installed at home, and the actual process of charging of their vehicle.
“Home-charging can’t get any easier than this,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director of Car Planning and Telematics, KMA. “Being able to order a Level 2 charger and installation through Amazon further demystifies and simplifies the experience for new Kia EV and PHEV owners. It’s just another example of how we’re constantly striving to provide the very best vehicles and customer experience.”
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The familiar Amazon website layout displays the recommended charging units for the owner’s electric vehicle, pricing for the units, information about home installation, and reviews from other Amazon users. On top of this, the site allows users to schedule a licensed electrician to install a charger and outlet if they are needed in their home. To add extra peace of mind, the Charge My Kia program is backed by the Amazon Happiness Guarantee, which allows you to file a claim if you are unsatisfied with a service or product delivered by Amazon. When you add in Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty to the equation, you can see a content Jeff Bezos in the distance, sleeping on a giant pile of money. Sleep tight, buddy.
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.