The fastest charging electric vehicles in the UK have been identified, and the list does not include models from Tesla, Audi, or BMW. The Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lotus Emeya, Volvo ES90, and Polestar 3 have all been named as the top performers, each capable of charging at 350kW.
Ultra-Fast Charging Capabilities
These four EVs boast ultra-fast charging rates and reliable range. All can charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 20 minutes, with the Volvo ES90 offering a long-distance range of up to 435 miles. Mario Christou from Carwow commented: "Enthusiasts of both electric cars and road trips haven't always had it easy, because it's not always convenient to stop and charge on a journey - especially if you have to wait around for ages as a result of a slow-charging car. That's where the fastest charging electric car journeys come in, to minimise waiting and get you back on the road in minutes."
Understanding Charger Speeds
Different chargers are rated to deliver different speeds. The faster the speed, the quicker you will be able to charge a car. The quickest chargers in the UK are over 350kW, and in cars that can accept this rate, you could complete a 10 to 80 percent charge in around 18 minutes. However, the most common chargers deliver between 3 and 8kW, which is sufficient for a full overnight charge.
It is important to note that just because a charger can deliver a rapid speed, it does not always mean your car can accept it. Electric vehicles have a maximum charge speed rating and will not be able to take anything above this. For example, if your car is rated to charge at a maximum speed of 100kW, that will be the quickest it can charge, even if plugged into a 350kW unit.
Lotus Emeya: Striking Design but Efficiency Trade-Off
The Lotus Emeya is one of the few cars on sale that genuinely looks like nothing else on the road, with a striking silhouette and a super pointy nose featuring a quad of aggressive running lights, as well as a swish rear light bar underneath the kinked-up boot lid. However, according to Carwow, what the Lotus Emeya gains in charging speed, it loses in real-world range. While it is a striking SUV that is great to drive and has buckets of road presence, it is also woefully inefficient on the move.
