Hey there! Have you been thinking about going electric with your next vehicle purchase? I totally get it. Electric vehicles offer smooth, zippy performance and way cheaper fueling than gas engines. But charging times can still cause some range anxiety.
Luckily, today‘s EVs charge way faster than early models. I‘m talking 20 miles of range per minute fast! Rapid charging is a complete game-changer, letting you road trip with minimal downtime to recharge.
In this guide, we‘ll break down the key specs, real-world performance and overall charging experience of the top 5 fastest charging EVs available for purchase in 2023. Let‘s get charging!
EV Charging 101
Before getting to the vehicles, a quick EV charging primer:
Level 1: The slowest charging uses a regular wall outlet. Adds ~3 miles of range per hour. Handy for overnight top-offs.
Level 2: Faster 240v charging like a dryer outlet. Adds 10-20 miles per hour. Great for home/workplace charging.
DC Fast Charge: Special 480+ volt stations can add 150+ miles in 15-30 minutes. Enables road trips with minimal stops.
Charging speed depends on battery size, max charging rate (like filling a bathtub), battery cooling and more. Faster charging heats up batteries quicker, so advanced thermal management is key.
Now let‘s get to the epic charging champs!
#1 Quickest Charging EV: Lucid Air
The svelte Lucid Air sedan is in a class of its own when it comes to charging speed.
Range: A massive 113 kWh battery provides up to 520 miles per charge – the longest range EV yet.
Power Up: Thanks to a smart 900+ volt electrical architecture, the Air can charge at an industry-leading 300 kW. That‘s fast enough to add 20 miles of driving range per minute!
To put that into perspective, when connected to the fastest chargers, the Lucid Air can replenish ~80% of its total battery capacity in just 20 minutes. That‘s fast enough to grab a quick coffee and snack. Amazing!
Pricing for the luxury Lucid Air starts around $87,400. Expensive yes, but also unmatched when it comes to charging speed and range.
#2: Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 brings a sporty, futuristic look to affordable long-range electric driving.
Range: Up to 310 miles from a 77.4 kWh battery.
Fill ‘Er Up: Utilizing an advanced 800 volt electrical system, the EV6 can charge at up to 240 kW, adding 100 miles of range in under 5 minutes. Just 18 minutes gets you from 10 to 80% battery.
That convenience makes multi-stop road trips a total breeze. Plus pricing starts around just $41,400 – quite a value!
#3: Porsche Taycan
Beauty, speed and electrical brawn come together in Porsche‘s exhilarating Taycan electric sport sedan.
Range: Around 227 miles from the high-capacity 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus model.
Lightning Juice: Thanks again to 800 volt architecture, the Taycan swallows electrons from high-power 350 kW charging stations astonishingly quick. How‘s 22.5 minutes for a 5-80% charge sound?
Plus that signature Stuttgart style inside and out never gets old. With rakish styling and truly thrilling acceleration, the Taycan demonstrates electric driving can still arouse passionate desire. Pricing starts around $83k.
#4: Mercedes-AMG EQS
Mercedes-Benz‘s new all-electric flagship EQS sedan has charging speed to match its luxurious, high-tech appointments.
Max Miles: A hefty 107 kWh battery provides up to 350 miles of driving range.
Serious Juice: Thanks to smart thermal management, that big battery can swallow electrons from 200 kW fast chargers at astonishing rates. How does 100 miles of added range in just 6 minutes sound? 10-80% of full charge takes just 31 minutes.
Combine that charging prowess with surreal amounts of torque, rear-wheel steering, and an incredible Hyperscreen dash that stretches pillar to pillar. The AMG EQS balances electric luxury serenity with sports sedan ferocity unlike anything else on the market. Cost of entry starts around $148k.
#5: Tesla Model S
No EV charging speed roundup would be complete without the vehicles that made electric driving an aspirational pursuit.
Tesla‘s Model S flagship brings space age infotainment and connectivity – with over-the-air software update capability that keeps early models fresh.
Go (Really Far): A 100 kWh battery enables longer trips with up to 412 miles range between Supercharger top-offs.
Zoom Zoom: New triple motor Plaid models put down a ludicrous 1,020 HP enabling 2.3 second 0-60 mph sprints(!).
Fill ‘Er Up: Thanks to improved thermal management, the refreshed Model S can now swallow electrons from 250 kW V3 Superchargers at up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes.
While no longer the charging king, Tesla‘s extensive network of 25,000+ Superchargers still makes long distance EV road tripping very convenient. Pricing starts around $104k.
EV Charging Speed Comparison Table
| Electric Vehicle | Battery | Range | Max Charging Rate | 10-80% Charge Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Air | 113 kWh | 520 mi | 300 kW | 20 minutes |
| Kia EV6 | 77 kWh | 310 mi | 240 kW | 18 minutes |
| Porsche Taycan | 93 kWh | 227 mi | 270 kW | 22.5 minutes |
| Mercedes EQS | 107 kWh | 350 mi | 200 kW | 31 minutes |
| Tesla Model S | 100 kWh | 412 mi | 250 kW | n/a |
Source: EV Database, Manufacturers
Buying an Ultra Fast Charging Electric Vehicle
Clearly these quick charging electric rides offer exhilarating performance with exceptional capability for road trips. But total ownership costs matter too. What else should you consider?
Fuel Savings: Electricity is far cheaper than gas, saving $750+ per year for average US drivers. Lower maintenance helps too.
Charging Access: Ensure DC fast charging stations work for your routes. Apps like PlugShare map all options.
Cost: Fastest charging EVs come at a premium price, but falling battery prices are quickly improving affordability.
Incentives: Tax credits up to $7,500 are still available to help offset purchase costs. Plus many states add bonuses for EV buyers.
While still pricier up front than gas burners, factoring total 5+ year ownership cost makes quick-charging EVs a wise investment for convenience, performance and running cost savings.
Living with a Fast-Charge Electric Vehicle
Driving an EV with lightning-fast charging takes much charging anxiety out of the electric equation:
- Multi-hour charging stops are minimized for carefree road trip fun.
- 15-30 minute snack breaks on long drives let you recharge in the time it takes to stretch your legs, use the restroom and grab a bite.
- Reclaim hours lost at gas stations means more sights and destinations within reach.
- Rapid "topping up" minimizes range anxiety for daily commutes and errands.
- Smart liquid cooling and battery preconditioning sustains max charging speed to extend battery lifespan.
For me, access to DC fast charging makes EV ownership vastly more practical and enjoyable. I can cover long distances with fewer and shorter stops. And I never worry about running low keeping up with daily driving demands. It feels a bit like the future!
Quick Charging Electric Cars Keep Getting Better
As someone who‘s driven electric cars for almost 15 years now, the advancement in charging speeds feels utterly game changing. Early EVs could require overnight charging sessions to reach a full tank! Advancements in battery chemistry, computing power and infrastructure now enable adding 200+ miles of range in the time it takes to hit the restroom and grab a snack.
Here‘s a sampling of coming attractions that promise even faster charge times:
- 800V Platforms: Like the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Ioniq 5, increasing battery voltage from 400V to 800V effectively doubles potential power transfer rates. Expect to see this migrate across more model lineups.
- Better Batteries: Solid state lithium batteries promise 2X+ energy density along with improved safety and lifespan. Fast charging versions could start hitting the market around 2025.
- 350 kW Charging: Today‘s fastest chargers peak at 250-300 kW. But new generations promise charging speeds up to 400 kW before the end of the decade – barely enough time for a bathroom break!
- Vehicle-to-Grid: Bidirectional charging allows vehicles to both take and supply power. Imagine seamlessly tapping your EV battery to power your home during an outage!
Let‘s Go For an Electric Spin!
I hope this guide has helped demystify today‘s fastest charging EVs. It‘s truly an exciting time to embrace innovative electric vehicle technology!
While upfront pricing remains a hurdle for some buyers, dramatically lower operating costs compared to gas vehicles make fast-charging electric cars a wise value in the long run.
Have any other questions about EV ownership or charging? Drop me a line or leave a comment below! And let me know what model has you most excited to ditch gas and go electric. Maybe I‘ll see you on the electron highway soon!
