These are the fastest-charging electric cars, if you're in a hurry

As Australia's electric vehicle market grows, you’ll read more about kilowatt-hours (kWh) – the EV equivalent of fuel litres (L).

That’s because the amount of power an EV battery can store dictates how far you can drive before needing to plug in for a recharge, just like the volume of a fuel tank.

But, it's also important to also consider how long it takes to charge – especially when you venture on long road trips that are beyond the driving range limits of an EV and require public charging stops.

Here’s what the numbers mean and what you need to look for when considering the electric switch.

JUMP AHEAD

This is a long story, but our index of jump links right here will help you get to the parts you need most.

• 🔢 What’s a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?
  • Gross vs net
• ⭐️ 80 is the golden number
  • Why 80 per cent is critical
• 🪫 Battery design
  • Why higher number isn't always fastest
• 🔌 Charging power (kW) and force (V)
  • 400 vs 800 volts
  • How to achieve maximum charging speeds
• AC⚡DC
• ⏰ Fastest-charging EVs in 30 minutes or less
• 🤔 How long does it take to charge an EV and how much?

• 🔋 Every fastest-charging EV in Australia, by max DC rate

• 💯 Knowledge is power

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🔢 What’s a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?

For most buyers, it's not necessary to know the physics and science behind a kilowatt-hour (kWh) any more than you need to understand the calculation of a combustion engine’s power figures.

Put simply, a kWh is a unit of energy just like a calorie or joule, but one that’s particularly applicable to electric vehicle batteries.

The higher the number, the more energy the battery can absorb via charging and then release when required to drive the vehicle for (theoretically) longer range on one charge.

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⭐️ 80 is the golden number

Charging a battery is comparable to filling a drink bottle, where you slow down the pouring pressure to fill the top-end, without overflowing.

After the 80 per cent mark, charging speed slows dramatically – regardless of the battery type. That’s why EV manufacturers often refer to an 80 per cent charge time, as this offers the best range-for-time value.

For example, plugging in from 10 to 80 per cent typically takes the same time as the last 20 going from 80 to 100 per cent – which effectively doubles your waiting time for not much range gain, unless a full charge is necessary on a long-distance road trip.

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🪫 Battery design

All EV batteries feature sophisticated active and passive cooling systems – via battery management system (BMS) software – to control the significant amount of heat generated by the fast charging and discharging.

Cooling systems can also be reversed to warm the battery during very cold weather.

Some EVs, such as the BYD Atto 3, Tesla Model 3 and Genesis GV60, include heat pumps as standard – which is a significantly more efficient way to heat or cool the interior air-conditioning system and the battery by repurposing waste heat from the electric drive unit.

How efficiently the cooling system moves heat away from the individual battery cells can affect the charging speed.

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Supplied: Audi Q8 E-Tron charging curve

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🔌 Charging power (kW) and force (V)

Electricity’s physics and behaviour is similar to a water hose. Current (measured in amps) is like the water’s flow speed and quantity, while voltage is more like the water’s pressure.

That’s the secret to the circa-20 minute rapid charging times of models, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Porsche Taycan. Unlike most other EVs, which use up to 400 volts, they adopt a more advanced 800-volt class battery architecture.

It means the ‘pressure’ of current (measured in amperage) of charging electrons into the battery is higher, enabling more driving range to be pushed into the cells in a shorter time. It also generates less heat, enables thinner charging cables, and has performance driving advantages when discharging, too.

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AC⚡DC

EV charging is separated by slow AC charging and fast DC charging speeds – which is limited by the power source and model’s maximum capabilities.

Plug your smartphone at night and it will be ready for another day’s use the following morning. It’s a similar routine for electric cars – if you can (ideally) plug in at home.

If an EV provides more than enough range for your daily needs (200 to 600km depending on the model), then you only need to replenish enough for the next day via a three-pin trickle charging cable.

After all, you don’t need to always fully fill up a fuel tank – the average Australian only drives between 30 to 40km per day.

This is the most basic method and can recharge up to 80 per cent in around two to four full nights depending on the model.

Audi's head of charging development, Silvia Gramlich, told WhichCar that the crucial question for EV buyers is: “How many kilowatt hours can I recharge in what period of time?”

However, if you need the guarantee of a full charge every day, then you’ll need to install a Level 2 7kW single-phase or 11kW three-phase AC wall box charger.

Though, the limiting factor is still alternating current (AC) power – volts and amps. EV batteries need to store energy as direct current (DC) and uses a built-in AC to DC inverter.

That’s why almost every EV model offers DC charging, which is substantially faster without the need to convert energy. DC charging is only found at public stations, where a quick top-up is most suited.

Just how fast depends on the charging power limits of the charging station output (generally between 50kW to 350kW DC) and the EV model input, as detailed here.

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⏰ In 30 minutes or less, I'm free...

These EVs boast a claimed 10 to 80 per cent charge time of 30 minutes or less.

Some models below also demonstrate a high charge rate doesn’t always mean quick charging times – a small battery with a decent enough 100kW DC speed could be faster to replenish than a large battery on a 350kW ultra-rapid rate.

• Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Hyundai Ioniq 6
• Kia EV6
• Genesis Electrified GV60
• Genesis Electrified GV70
• Genesis Electrified G80
• Tesla Model 3
• Tesla Model Y
• Audi E-Tron GT
• Porsche Taycan
• BMW iX1
• Cupra Born
• MG 4 (Excite/Essence 64 only)
• Volvo EX30
• Volvo XC40 Recharge (Twin Motor Ultimate only)
• Volvo C40 Recharge (Twin Motor Ultimate only)
• Polestar 2 (Long Range variants only)
• Polestar 3
• Peugeot E-2008
• Peugeot E-Partner

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🤔 How long does it take to charge an EV and how much?

This story focuses on the fastest-charging EVs, but does it generally take too long to charge an EV and how much does it all cost? Check out our detailed explainers below.

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🔋 Every fastest-charging EV in Australia, by max DC rate

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💯 Knowledge is power

Just as you should when considering any car purchase, arm yourself with the relevant information and have a list of all the things you need in your next electric car.

Get your head around battery sizes in kWh, find out the AC/DC charging capabilities for the particular model you're interested in as above, and determine whether you can charge at home and locate where public charging stations are using platforms, such as PlugShare [↗].

Of course, charging speed isn’t everything. If you plug in at home or work overnight, then you don’t need to charge so quickly – and frequent fast charging is unhealthy for batteries in the long-run.

Energy efficiency and driving range, features, practicality and aftersales provisions are also important, so a little research will enable you to find the perfect EV to fit your needs. For more, check out our comprehensive EV guides below.

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