Revealed: The fastest charging electric cars

The speed at which an electric car charges can be one of the most important aspects of choosing which one to purchase.

To make your decision easier, there are plenty of options out there that can reduce your wait times at service stations, especially if you have a compatible charger.

Different cars accept different maximum charge speeds; it just depends on the type of battery and charging architecture fitted to the car. Different charge speeds can either increase or decrease your wait while charging. For example, a car that can charge at speeds of up to 270kW can add around 120 miles of range in about 10 minutes.

To help you get to grips with the best cars to choose for short charge times, we've compiled this list of the fastest-charging electric cars.

There are several models available from a number of different manufacturers, and they don't necessarily have to cost a lot of money to buy. You can have anything from a Lotus Eletre to a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Jeep Avenger Electric.
 

It’s worth noting, however, that some EVs won’t always charge at the speed quoted by the manufacturer.

Korean electric cars such as the Genesis GV60, Kia EV6, Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 are all claimed to charge at up to 350kW, but rarely reach such a speed, often settling at between 230kW and 245kW.

Without further ado, then, let's look at the fastest-charging EVs.
 

Jeep Avenger - 100kW

It may only charge at a maximum rate of 100kW and have a 50.8kWh battery, but its official range is anywhere between 245 to 249 miles, depending on the trim.

There are three modes: normal, sport and eco. Pop it into sport and you’ll get 154bhp, while normal offers up to 108bhp and eco 81bhp. Find yourself a decent charger and a 10-80% top-up will take around 25min.

Volkswagen ID 3 - 170kW

Whether you opt for the Pro or Pro S, you shouldn’t be kept waiting at a charger for long. The Pro will charge at up to 120kW, which means a 5-80% charge takes around 35min, while the Pro S will manage 170kW and take around 30min for the same charge.

The Pro S has a 77kWh battery versus the Pro’s 58kWh, but this means 11kW AC charging takes seven hours 30min from empty to full — the Pro takes around six hours 15min. 

Volkswagen ID 7 -175kW

As of 2022, we waved goodbye to Volkswagen’s executive Passat. The firm’s long-standing model has been replaced by the new ID 7 electric saloon and estate.

Built to rival the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3, the ID 7 is Volkswagen’s new flagship model and offers an electric range of up to 435 miles in range-topping Pro S trim. The standard Pro model can only be charged at 175kW, which means a 10-80% charge takes around 28 minutes. Using an 11kW home charger, it will take roughly eight hours to charge from empty to full. 

Volkswagen ID Buzz - 175kW

The MPV-based ID Buzz might look more like a van than a car, but actually uses the same underpinnings as the ID 5 coupe-SUV. The large and spacious Buzz is the ideal family wagon, and while its range of 257 miles isn’t brilliant, it's a highly capable EV that offers more practicality than most electric SUVs. 

The Buzz will charge at 175kW, which means that a 5-80% charge time will take just 30min; plug it into an 11kW home charger and charge time is increased to seven and a half hours. 

BMW i4 - 180kW

Opting for the entry-level i4 eDrive35 means you’ll get a 70.2kWh battery, 180kW DC charging, and an official range of 276 miles. Find a charger with an output of 180kW and you should be able to charge from 10-80% in 32 minutes. 

The mid-level eDrive40 is arguably the pick of the line-up. You get a larger 83.9kWh battery and up to 365 miles of range. Couple this with a faster charging speed of 205kW and you can top up the battery in around 30 minutes. Both versions of the i4 get 11kW AC charging. 

BMW i5 - 205kW

The entry-level i5 shares the same charging performance as the i4 eDrive40 (205kW), which means a 10-80% charge should take around 30 minutes. 

Topping the i5 model line-up up is the 601bhp dual-motor M60 variant. It retains the 83.9kWh battery from the eDrive40 which means it can be charged at up to 205kW. AC charging is up to 22kW, which means you can charge from empty to 100% in around four hours. 

Polestar 2 - 205kW

You can choose from a number of versions of the Polestar 2, including a Standard Range single-motor, Long Range single-motor, Long Range dual-motor or the range-topping Long Range dual-motor with Performance Pack. The Long Range single-motor is the pick of the bunch due to its impressive 405-mile range. 

No matter which model you go for, the 2 will charge at up to 205kW, which means you can charge from 10-80% in 28min. All cars receive 11kW AC charging, which should charge the car in around eight hours. 

Tesla Model Y - 250kW

Buying a Tesla gives you access to the company’s large and highly-regarded Supercharger network, and in ideal conditions, you should be able to add 150 miles in 15 minutes thanks to 250kW charge speeds. 

Plug into a 7kW wallbox charger and a 0-100% charge for the entry-level car will take around 9hr 15min. Opting for the more expensive Long Range or Performance versions and a 7kW charge takes around 12 hours. 

Tesla Model 3 - 250kW

Tesla recently facelifted the Model 3, giving it a more aggressive appearance, revised interior and uprated powertrain. 

Like the Model Y, or any Tesla, you can use a Supercharger. The RWD can charge up to 170kW while the Long Range car will manage 250kW. Both cars will charge from 10-80% in under 30min and like the Model Y, the Model 3 can be charged in around 12 hours using a 7kW charger. 

Kia EV6 - 258kW

The Kia EV6 is a spacious, distinctively-styled, easy-to-drive EV that, thanks to a recent facelift, has had a usable battery capacity increase from 77.4kWh to 84kWh and a maximum charging speed increase from 239kW to 258kW.

This means that, if you find a compatible charger, you can charge your EV6 from 10% to 80% in around 25 minutes. After that, you can get back to making the most of the EV6's generous power reserves (320bhp for the current range-topper) and pretty impressive energy efficiency.

Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore - 270kW

Those who are Maserati fans will be pleased to know that the marque's first EV, the Folgore, will be available this year. It gets a hefty 92.5kWh battery and 750bhp, which is to be upped later to 1,183bhp. It offers a 279-mile range and max DC charging comes in at 270kW.

Plugged into a quick charger, it will manage 10-80% in just 20min, and add 62 miles in just five minutes. Folgore buyers will receive a Maserati-branded wallbox charger, which can offer charging speeds up to 22kW. 

Xpeng G6 - 280kW

Built to rival the Tesla Model Y, the new Xpeng G6 is a sleek electric SUV that is packed full of driver-assistance tech and artificial intelligence (AI) features. 

Impressively, the new Xpeng can be charged at super quick speeds, with the G6 able to suck in 280kW of energy for a 10-80% charging time of just 20 minutes. 
 

Lucid Air - 300kW

The luxury electric saloon is fitted with a large 112kWh battery, giving it an EPA range of up to 516 miles. And despite the battery capacity, the Air can be charged quickly thanks to its 300kW charging speed.

In fact, if you can find a 350kW DC charger you can add 300 miles of range in just 21 minutes.

Porsche Taycan - 320kW

It’s praised for its driving engagement and astonishing acceleration, but what’s truly impressive is the Taycan’s charging ability.

The updated model can be charged at up to 320kW if fitted with the larger 105kWh battery, which means you can top up from 10-80% in as little as 18 minutes. 

Audi e-tron GT - 320kW

The German brand's sleek electric saloon was given a major update for 2024, arriving in various trims and gaining a new range-topping Performance version which develops 912bhp for a 0-62mph time of 2.5sec.

And because it rides on the same platform as the Porsche Taycan, it can also be charged at up to 320kW. This means that a charge up to 80% should take less than 20 minutes. 

Kia EV9 - 350kW

Built to rival the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron, the EV9 is a huge and super-spacious electric SUV that has a 349-mile range, a highly flexible interior layout and a 350kW charge speed. Kia says that to achieve such speeds an 800V charger that has an output of at least 210kW must be used. 

Find a good enough rapid charger and you’ll be able to boost the battery from 10-80% in 24 minutes, making it quicker than the BMW iX and Mercedes EQB. The EV9 also draws 11kW on AC, which means a 10-100% charge is done in nine hours and five minutes for both the RWD and AWD models. 

Genesis Electrified G80 - 350kW

If you can find yourself a rare 350kW charge station, the G80 will blitz the 10-80% top up in 22min. It has a max DC charge rate of 230kW while AC charging is capped at 11kW, which means a 10-100% charge time of seven hours 33min. In ideal conditions, Genesis claims that the G80 will return 323 miles of range. 

Hyundai Ioniq 6 - 350kW

Like many EVs available, the Ioniq 6 is available with either a RWD or AWD setup – but all cars get the same 77.4kWh battery. As previously stated, a maximum charging rate is possible, but the Hyundai tends to peak at a speed of 233kW, and this means it will take around 18min to charge from 10-80%.

On a 50kW charger, the charge time is increased to one hour and 20min. All cars charge at a maximum of 11kW on AC, taking them from empty to full in around seven hours and 10min. 

Genesis GV60 - 350kW

Like its larger brother, the GV70, the GV60 has a 77.4kWh battery but the range is slightly higher at 289 miles (Sport Plus). Its peak charge rate is 233kW (350kW quoted) and it will top-up from 10-80% in 18min via an ultra-rapid system.

The AC charging ability has been increased from 7.2kW to 11kW, which means charging from empty to full takes around eight hours. 

Genesis Electrified GV70 - 350kW

According to the Korean premium brand, the GV70 can be charged at up to 350kW. However, many drivers have experienced differing peak charging rates, and this isn't exclusive to just the GV70. 

The highest rate for the GV70 is 233kW, so if you can find an ultra-rapid device then it should recharge from 10-80% in around 18 minutes. An easier-to-find 50kW fast-charge station will have the same charge done in around one-hour 20min. At a home charger, the empty to full charge is done in around 12 hours.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 - 350kW

Given that the Ioniq 5 uses the same 800V electric architecture as the GV60, EV6, and Ioniq 6, it will come as no surprise that it too can be charged at 350kW. However, many owners have revealed that 350kW is only achievable for a short while before the car accepts electricity at around 238kW. 

The Ioniq 5 is available with either a 58kWh or 77kWh battery, which both accept the same charging speed. Opt for either battery and charging from 10-80% via a 350kW system will take just 18 minutes.

Lotus Eletre - 350kW

Lotus began its transformation into an electric performance brand last year with the launch of the Eletre, the brand's first SUV and first bespoke EV.

Three different versions are available, including the Eletre R, which develops 905bhp and can do 0-62mph in 2.9sec. Its large 109kWh battery can be charged at up to 350kW, allowing for a sub-20 minute charging time.