While range might get all the attention when it comes to comparing new EVs, charging speed is equally important, especially on long journeys. The variation between a standard 400V electric car and a cutting-edge 800V model can be the difference between a quick break and a full sit-down meal plus pudding at the service station. The fastest charging EVs are able to add hundreds of miles of range in as little as 18 minutes.
Of course, how fast an EV can charge is determined by a range of factors including battery level, the weather, and the type of rapid or ultra-rapid charge point you’re plugging into. While newer 800V charging points are being rolled out, you’re most likely to see the popular 400V system in the UK at present. This differentiation only affects some EVs on our list, and will become less of an issue when 800V chargers are more widely available.
Even within the 400V range, there’s huge variation in how quickly an EV can refill. Peak speed is influenced by everything from the battery’s temperature to its current state of charge. However, the ultimate litmus test remains a car’s maximum DC charge rate. To cut through the noise, we've ranked the fastest charging EVs on sale by this figure.
How we tested
We’ve driven hundreds of electric cars to bring you our authentic and honest verdict. Our real-world test drives include long-distance and urban driving. We’ve put each car through its paces, testing features like boot space, practicality, range, charging speeds and more.
Fastest charging electric cars in 2026
- Lotus Emeya – £84,990, Lotuscars.com
- BMW iX3 – £58,755, Bmw.co.uk
- MG IM5 – £39,450, MG.co.uk
- Lotus Eletre – £84,990, Lotuscars.com
- Audi e-tron GT – £108,775, Audi.co.uk
- Porsche Taycan – £88,200, Porsche.com
- Mercedes-Benz CLA – £45,615, Mercedes-benz.co.uk
- Audi Q6 e-tron – £61,240, Audi.co.uk
- Maserati GranCabrio Folgore – £176,760, Maserati.com
1. Lotus Emeya: £84,990, Lotuscars.com
Independent rating: 8/10
- Maximum charge rate: 400kW
- Battery size: 102kWh
Lotus Emeya specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 14 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 379 miles
The fastest-charging EV currently available in the UK is the Lotus Emeya. Using an 800-volt system architecture, it can fill its battery at an astonishing 400kW – so long as you can find a charger that’s equally powerful, of course. At that rate, the 102kWh battery can fill from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 14 minutes, and the claimed range when fully charged is some 379 miles.
A four-door saloon, the Emeya is closely related to the taller Lotus Eletre SUV, but has a slightly higher charge rate and manages a few extra miles of range. A rival to the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT and upcoming Polestar 5, the Emeya is priced from £90,000 to £130,000. Our reviewer said the Lotus is “a thoroughly contemporary high-performance electric car,” adding: “It oozes sophistication, and the high-speed ride is particularly svelte, making for a great long-distance cruiser.”
Read our full review of the Lotus Emeya
2. BMW iX3: £58,755, Bmw.co.uk
Independent rating: tbc
- Maximum charge rate: 400kW
- Battery size: 108.7kWh
BMW iX3 specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes
- Maximum range: 493 miles
The new iX3 could well be a watershed moment for the electric car, since it can travel almost 500 miles on a single charge. On top of that, it’s also the first car to come from BMW’s Neue Klasse vehicle family, which marks a fresh start for the German brand.
Key features include a new design with a refreshed front grille and light signature, while the interior features Panoramic iDrive, a display projected onto a panel between the dashboard and the base of the windscreen. It’s a clever new take on how a car’s user interface can be displayed, and further underlines how the iX3 really is a departure from anything BMW has done before.
As well as a class-leading range, the iX3 can charge quicker than any other car too, with the same 400kW maximum rate as the Lotus Emeya. BMW says it can fill from 10 to 80 per cent in around 21 minutes.
3. MG IM5: £39,450, MG.co.uk
Independent rating: 9/10
- Maximum charge rate: 396kW
- Battery size: 75 and 100kWh
MG IM5 specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts (100kWh battery only)
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 17 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 441 miles
The closest rival we’ve seen to the Tesla Model 3, the new IM5 from MG is also one of the fastest charging cars you can buy. The model with a 100kWh battery benefits from an 800-volt system that can charge at up to 396kWh – good enough for a fill from 10 to 80 per cent in just 17 minutes, MG says. The smaller 75kWh battery runs at 400 volts and charges at 153kW, and completes the same charge in 26 minutes.
“It’s a spacious five-door hatchback with proportions, pricing, range and tech specs that are very much in line with the Tesla Model 3,” our reviewer said of the MG, adding: “It’s good to drive, easily as spacious as Model 3, but with even better build quality.”
Read our full review of the MG IM5
4. Lotus Eletre: £84,990, Lotuscars.com
Independent rating: 9/10
- Maximum charge rate: 350kW
- Battery size: 112kWh
Lotus Eletre specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 14 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 373 miles
Closely related to the Lotus Emeya, the taller Eletre can fill its battery at up to 350kW. In fact, Lotus said in June 2024 that the Eletre can go even quicker, reaching 402kW when plugged into its own 450kW charger.
Even using a public 350kW charger, the Eletre can fill from 10 to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes, or gain up to 74 miles of range in as little as five minutes. Lotus says that, when using a 400kW charger, the Eletre could cut that 10-80 per cent time down to just 14 minutes, matching the Emeya.
Read our full review of the Lotus Eletre
5. Audi e-tron GT: £108,775, Audi.co.uk
Independent rating: 8/10
- Maximum charge rate: 320kW
- Battery size: 105kWh
Audi e-tron GT specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 378 miles
Both Audi and Porsche produce cars with incredibly fast charging capabilities, in the form of the closely-related Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan. As part of a recent facelift, the Audi e-tron GT now charges at up to 320kW (up from 270kW for the previous generation), and can fill its battery from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 18 minutes.
It’s worth remembering that car manufacturers tend to use 80 per cent as the cut off for their rapid charge times, as batteries fill far more slowly after that point. It is also considered good practice to avoid frequently rapid-charging a car battery beyond 80 per cent, and to only charge fully using an AC charger at home, in a bid to sustain the lifetime of the battery.
Read our full review of the Audi e-tron GT
6. Porsche Taycan: £88,200, Porsche.com
Independent rating: 9/10
- Maximum charge rate: 320kW
- Battery size: 89 or 105kWh
Porsche Taycan specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 394 miles
Closely related to the Audi e-tron GT, the Porsche Taycan also received a facelift in 2024 that upped its maximum charge rate from 270kW to 320kW. This resulted in a new 10-80 per cent charge time of 18 minutes, when using a 350kW charger. The previous-generation Taycan manages the same charge in about 22 minutes, also when using a 350kW charger.
The Porsche and Audi (as well as the Lotus and some EVs from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis) can charge so quickly because they have an 800-volt electrical architecture. Most other EVs use 400 volts, which is less expensive for manufacturers to produce, but limits their ability to charge as quickly.
Read our full review of the Porsche Taycan
7. Mercedes-Benz CLA: £45,615, Mercedes-benz.co.uk
Independent rating: 8/10
- Maximum charge rate: 320kW
- Battery size: 84kWh
Mercedes-Benz CLA specs:
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 484 miles
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is an electric saloon with a huge range of over 480 miles and the ability to charge at up to 320kW when using an 800-volt charger. Our reviewer rated it 8/10 and praised its excellent efficiency. He said: “In the new CLA, Mercedes has delivered an electric car that has the potential to be one of the best on the market.”
However, early examples are not compatible with 400-volt chargers, which make up a lot of the UK’s EV charge network. The car’s navigation takes you to the right chargers, but it’s a disappointment nonetheless. Examples delivered in 2026, including a new estate version, should address this and gain 400-volt compatibility. Make sure you check before making a purchase.
Read our full review of the Mercedes-Benz CLA
8. Audi Q6 e-tron: £61,240, Audi.co.uk
Independent rating: tbc
- Maximum charge rate: 270kW
- Battery size: 82 or 100kWh
Audi Q6 e-tron specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 392 miles
The Audi Q6 e-tron is another 800-volt EV that can charge extremely quickly. Plug the electric SUV into a 350kW charger and it’ll fill at up to 270kW, resulting in a 10-80 per cent charge time of 21 minutes.
The Q6 e-tron also uses its 800-volt system to charge more quickly at less powerful 400-volt chargers too, such as those that operate at up to 150kW. Plug it into such a charger, and it automatically splits its battery into two 400-volt packs, effectively charging the two halves in parallel at up to 135kW. It’s a process that Audi calls bank charging.
Home charging on AC goes up to 11kW for now, but Audi says this will be increased to 22kW as an option at a later date, although most home chargers in the UK are limited to 7.4kW.
9. Maserati GranCabrio Folgore: £176,760, Maserati.com
Independent rating: 8/10
- Maximum charge rate: 270kW
- Battery size: 83kWh
Maserati GranCabrio Folgore specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 20 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 278 miles
Another member of the 800-volt, 270kW club, the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore can fill its battery to 80 per cent in as little as 18 minutes, when using a 350kW charger. One of the very first convertible EVs to hit the market – and indeed the first soft-topped four-seater – the GranCabrio Folgore is a design winner inside and out, with decent range and advanced tech. It’s also seriously quick, just as you’d expect from a Maserati, with a 0-62 mph time of 2.8 seconds.
Read our full review of the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore
10. Porsche Macan electric: £71,200, Porsche.com
Independent rating: 8/10
- Maximum charge rate: 270kW
- Battery size: 100 kWh
Porsche Macan electric specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 380 miles
Now only available as an EV, the new Porsche Macan is a mid-size SUV built on an 800-volt platform shared with the Taycan. While it doesn’t charge quite as quickly as Porsche’s flagship EV, the Macan still manages an impressive 270kW when using an equally powerful charger. That means a 10-80 per cent charge can take as little as 20 minutes.
Read our full review of the Porsche Macan
11. Hyundai Ioniq 5: £39,900, Hyundai.com
Independent rating: 9/10
- Maximum charge rate: 260kW
- Battery size: 63 or 84kWh
Hyundai Ioniq 5 specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 354 miles
Platform sharing is commonplace among related EV brands, and nowhere is this more apparent than with the Kia Hyundai group.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60 all share the same platform, with the former two receiving a similar facelift in 2024 that increased both their range and charge speed. For the Hyundai that means a maximum charge rate of 260kW and a 10-80 per cent charge time of just 18 minutes. Add that to a claimed range of up to 354 miles, and you have an EV that can handle road trips with ease.
Read our full review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5
12. Kia EV6: £45,585, Kia.com
Independent rating: 9/10
- Maximum charge rate: 258kW
- Battery size: 84kWh
Kia EV6 specs
- Electrical architecture: 800 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 361 miles
Sharing its platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, above, the closely-related Kia EV6 benefits from the same 800-volt electrical architecture, the same charge rate and the same 10-80 per cent charge time. The EV6 is a very strong alternative to the Tesla Model 3, it’s great to drive and comes with a lot of kit as standard.
Read our full review of the Kia EV6
13. Polestar 3: £69,910, Polestar.com
Independent rating: 8/10
- Maximum charge rate: 250kW
- Battery size: 111kWh
Polestar 3 specs
- Electrical architecture: 400 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 403 miles
Polestar’s first full-size SUV, and only its second electric car, the 3 doesn’t benefit from the 800-volt systems of other models in this article, but still manages a charge rate of 250kW. That’s enough to fill the huge, 111kWh battery from 10 to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. So even if it can’t quite match other cars in this list, it still charges plenty quick enough for most drivers.
The Polestar 3 also benefits from a sporty drive, an infotainment and navigation system powered by Google, and one of the best sound systems we have ever heard – complete with speakers by Bowers & Wilkins and Dolby Atmos compatibility.
Read our full review of the Polestar 3
14. Volvo EX90: £82,660, Volvocars.com
Independent rating: 6/10
- Maximum charge rate: 250kW
- Battery size: 111kWh
Volvo EX90 specs
- Electrical architecture: 400 volts
- Charge time: 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes
- Maximum claimed range: 374 miles
Another example of an EV sharing its platform with another, the Volvo EX90 has the same battery size and charge rate as the Polestar 3. Essentially an electric version of the iconic XC90, the EX90 is Volvo’s new flagship SUV, with seven seats and masses of Scandi cool.
We were impressed by the spacious cabin – which has over 300 litres of storage space, even with all seven seats occupied – and impressive comfort and quality. It also benefits from a fantastic Bowers & Wilkins sound system with a mode that replicates the acoustics of the famous Abbey Road Studio.
Read our full review of the Volvo EX90
The verdict: Fastest charging EVs
Despite all the cutting-edge technology on display, EV charging is an inexact science. Charge speed can be affected by temperature, as well as how full the battery already is, how many other cars are using the same charge station, the capability of the charger, and the maximum charge speed of the car. It is also important to understand that an empty battery fills much more quickly than a near-full one – that’s why charge times are usually framed using a fill from 10 to 80 per cent. Also, in the interests of prolonging battery health, filling from 80 to 100 per cent should be done on a slower AC charger at home.
Ultimately, a faster charging EV is more convenient than one that charges slowly. However, if you want an EV with a small battery, how quickly it charges on a per-kilowatt basis will matter less. While 350kW or 400kW charging speeds make for great headlines, we imagine most EV drivers will be happy if their car consistently fills with the electricity they need in 15 minutes, regardless of journey plan or battery size.
And remember – these maximum speeds are only achieved for a short amount of time during the charging process; a near-empty battery may hit top speed in a matter of seconds, but that speed will fall as the battery fills up.
FAQs
What is the maximum charging speed available in the UK?
The fastest public chargers available in the UK operate at up to 480kW, meaning they can – in theory at least – deliver the quickest charge time for any EV sold in this country.
Any charger capable of delivering electricity at 400kW and over is labelled as “hyper-rapid”, and although there are only a handful in the UK for now, the network of “ultra-rapid” chargers operating at 150kW to 350kW is growing quickly.
Plug an 800-volt EV into an equally powerful charger – a Lotus Emeya and a 400kW charger, for example – and the battery can fill from 10 to 18 per cent in as little as 14 minutes.
How to charge your EV as quickly as possible
Electric cars charge more quickly when their battery is both depleted and warm. Many EVs will warm their battery, a process called preconditioning, as they approach a charge station (but only if you are using the car’s own navigation system and have set the charger as a destination). Using a more powerful charger will fill the battery more quickly, but only at whatever limit the car can handle. For example, a car that can charge at 150kW will not charge any quicker if you use a 350kW charger.
What factors influence charging time?
Battery state of charge (how full it is) and temperature are key factors when it comes to charge speed. For example, on a cold winter day we saw a charge speed of just 42kW when filling an EV capable of over 200kW, using a 350kW charger. The battery had not been preconditioned on the way, so wasn’t at the optimal temperature.
What’s the difference between EVs using 400 volts and 800 volts?
You might already be familiar with how almost all cars use a 12V electrical system, usually powered by a traditional lead-acid battery. EVs use these batteries to power auxiliary functions, but also have a high-voltage system for powering the much larger battery used to drive the wheels.
These high-voltage systems run at either 400 volts or 800 volts, with the former being more common but the latter offering greater charge speeds. Although more expensive to produce, 800V systems offer greater efficiency as they tend to use lighter components and require half the amps of a 400V system. The greater efficiency comes from less heat loss, since the system is operating at a lower current.
Whereas 400V EVs tend to have a charge limit of between 100 and 250kW, those operating at 800V can charge at 300kW or even 400kW. There is the potential for 800V EVs to charge even quicker, with Chinese EV company Zeekr achieving over 540kW during the testing of a prototype EV battery.
It’s entirely likely that future cars will charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 10 minutes.
Why trust us
Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic.
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