The 7 Fastest-Charging Electric Cars On The Market
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Most car owners fill up their vehicles without much thought. Pull up to a gas station pump, place the nozzle in the fuel filler port, wait a few minutes, and head back onto the road. In most cases, the process takes less than five minutes. However, things aren’t so speedy when it comes to an electric vehicle (EV)—EVs take longer to recharge. This is why learning the options for the fastest-charging electric car is important for those seeking to ditch the gas station permanently.
With this in mind, we’ll review EV charging basics and explore what manufacturers offer as the fastest-charging electric cars. To keep things simple, we’ll focus on models that use only electricity for power. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles also use electrification, but charging speed isn’t a significant issue for these cars (and it doesn’t even apply to hybrids).
While range is another important consideration with EV ownership, we’ll save that conversation for another article. Our discussion here is only about rapid EV charging.
Two Key Factors About EV Charging
The speed at which an EV charges is determined by how much electrical current flows from the charging station and how much electricity the vehicle can take in. In simple terms, a person can easily drink through a straw, but not a fire hose. Just because a charging station can provide a certain amount of kW (kilowatt) output doesn’t mean every EV can absorb the power at the same rate.
Like a mobile phone, the faster an EV battery can be charged, the sooner it’s ready for full use. With electric cars currently on the market, you’ll find that the more expensive models tend to have the quickest charging capabilities.
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EV Charging Speed
However, there’s a difference in how an EV charges compared to a mobile phone. A phone charges at a mostly consistent rate from empty to full. Meanwhile, an EV is engineered to charge the most quickly in the 10-80% capacity range. The charging rate slows if the battery is near empty (0-10%) or approaches full (80-100%); it’s a safety step engineered to preserve its longevity. The “peak charge zone” of 10-80% may vary slightly between manufacturers.
EV Charging Systems
There are three types of EV charging stations:
- Level 1: Relies on 120-volt (household) current to recharge an EV at a rate of up to 5 miles per hour of charging.
- Level 2: Uses a 240-volt system for EV recharging that averages about 25 miles per hour of charging but may offer up to 80 miles per hour of plug-in time with some equipment and vehicles. Aftermarket home-based systems use Level 2 charging technology.
- Level 3: Incorporates high-speed capabilities for recharging at a rate of 3 to 7 miles per minute. Sometimes called DC fast charging or DC quick charging, Level 3 services are only available at a commercial charging station (such as Tesla’s Supercharger network). These six-figure units are too expensive for installation at home. When an EV company touts a rapid recharge rate in minutes, it usually refers to Level 3 charging.
Factors such as amperage, equipment output, and equipment condition can affect charging speed. For example, two Level 2 units may not provide a charge at the same rate.
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Exploring the Fastest-Charging Electric Cars
Read on as we look at the fastest-charging electric cars, but keep in mind that technology is constantly changing, and new EVs are hitting showrooms regularly. Always do research if fast EV charging is a priority.
Here’s an alphabetical list of EVs with the fastest charging times. The results are manufactured-supplied information based on using a Level 3 charger at optimal output.
BMW i4 eDrive40
BMW, the storied German automaker, is jumping into the EV world with multiple models, including the i4. The i4 echoes the looks of other gas-powered sedans in the brand’s lineup and offers different electric motor options. At the top of the range is the i4 M50 with 536 horsepower.
Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac has already sold out the Lyriq for the 2023 model year. So, shoppers will have to wait until 2024 orders open if they want to put the automaker’s first EV in their driveways. A sharply styled exterior separates this five-seat crossover from its iconic and much-larger stablemate, the Escalade SUV.
GMC Hummer EV
General Motors dusted off the Hummer name and assigned this electric pickup to its GMC division. Like the original gas-powered Hummer H1, the Hummer EV is all about being over the top. In addition to its hulking size, this EV is available with up to 1,000 horsepower, giving justification to its “supertruck” label.
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Lucid Air
Clearly setting its sights on Tesla (Lucid’s CEO is a former Tesla executive), Lucid did everything it could to produce an industry-leading EV. The Lucid Air luxury sedan delivers up to 1,050 horsepower and 516 miles of range. It’s a vehicle clearly targeting the pioneering Tesla Model S.
Porsche Taycan
Taking a cue from its electric-focused parent, Volkswagen, Porsche seeks to deliver gasless performance for legions of enthusiasts and newcomers to the brand. Keeping with company tradition, there’s a mind-numbing amount of variations of the Taycan EV, including sedans and Cross Turismo (Porsche’s term for station wagon/hatchback body style) models.
Rivian R1T
With a multi-billion dollar war chest and the backing of Amazon and Ford, Rivian is the first automaker to deliver a mass-produced all-electric pickup truck, the R1T. While not as extreme as the Hummer EV, the R1T still offers impressive capabilities like a range of up to 400 miles, a 36-inch fording depth, and a 0-60 mph time of three seconds.
Tesla Model 3
Despite an onslaught of competition, Tesla is still able to hold its own when it comes to EV technology. Not only is the Model 3 a fast-charging EV (along with other Tesla vehicles), but it’s fast on the road. The Performance version can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 3.1 seconds. The Model 3 also offers up to 358 miles of range.
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