Electric cars
Peak DC charging speed tells you how quickly your car can accept charge at a public rapid charger; the higher the figure, the fewer minutes you spend at each stop. The 800V architecture used by Kia (EV6) and Hyundai (IONIQ 6) enables peak speeds above 200kW, while conventional 400V systems typically top out at around 150kW. Peak speeds assume an ideal battery temperature and a charge level below 80%, so real-world speeds are often lower. The 10-80% charge time is the more useful metric for journey planning, and it is the figure we use throughout this list.
Every model that qualifies for this list, in alphabetical order. Tap any card for the full review and specs.
i4 eDrive40
BMW CCS
205kW peak DC is lower than the 800V cars, but BMW's NMC cells maintain a relatively flat charging curve up to around 60% state of charge; real charge times are more consistent than the peak figure alone suggests.
i4 M50
BMW CCS
Dual-motor M50 shares the same 205kW peak DC charging as the eDrive40 with no compromise on charge speed. The M50 and eDrive40 are identical on charging; what differs is performance output and slightly less WLTP range.
IONIQ 6 Long Range AWD
Hyundai CCS
AWD IONIQ 6 shares the 233kW peak charging rate with the RWD but gives up around 34 miles WLTP. Identical charging speed, dual-motor traction; the right choice when all-weather confidence matters more than maximum range.
IONIQ 6 Long Range RWD
Hyundai CCS
Matches the EV6 on 233kW peak DC charging but leads the entire list on aerodynamic efficiency at 0.21 Cd. More miles between stops and the same speed when you do stop; a strong combination for long-distance drivers.
EV6 Long Range AWD GT-Line S
Kia CCS
Same 800V / 233kW charging capability as the RWD with dual-motor AWD added. Identical charging hardware, all-weather traction, and around 28 fewer WLTP miles; choose AWD for the conditions, not the charging speed.
EV6 Long Range RWD
Kia CCS
800V architecture enables 233kW peak DC charging; on a compatible 350kW charger, 10-80% takes around 18 minutes. The RWD setup is also the most range-efficient EV6 variant, so fast charging meets efficient running.
Model 3 Long Range AWD
Tesla CCS
Shares the 250kW Supercharger capability of the RWD with dual-motor AWD. The two variants are identical on charging speed; the AWD adds all-weather traction and the same Supercharger network advantage.
Model 3 Long Range RWD
Tesla CCS
The highest peak charging rate on this list at 250kW, but only on Tesla's V3 Supercharger network. At third-party CCS rapid chargers, real-world speeds are typically 170-200kW. The fastest option for Supercharger users.
Model Y Long Range AWD
Tesla CCS
250kW on Superchargers combined with the most extensive rapid-charging network in the UK makes this the most practical option for long-distance family trips. SUV packaging and Supercharger access are the joint differentiators.
Model Y Performance AWD
Tesla CCS
Same 250kW Supercharger capability as the Long Range AWD with higher-performance motors. The two Model Y variants are identical on charging hardware; what differs is acceleration and driving character.
The voltage architecture of your EV is the single biggest factor determining how fast it can charge at a public rapid charger. Higher voltage means the car can accept more power at the same current, which is why 800V vehicles can peak at over 200kW while most 400V vehicles are limited to around 50-150kW.
The Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 6 on this list use the 800V E-GMP platform, which enables peak DC speeds of 233kW on a compatible charger. Most 800V vehicles also include an on-board DC-to-DC converter that allows them to charge on conventional 400V chargers, though at a reduced speed; you are not locked out of slower networks.
Tesla operates separately from this comparison. Tesla's Supercharger network uses a proprietary architecture; on a V3 Supercharger, the Model 3 and Model Y reach 250kW. At third-party CCS rapid chargers, real-world speeds for Tesla vehicles are typically lower, in the range of 170-200kW, and vary by charger and software version.
For 400V vehicles such as the BMW i4, peak speeds depend on the car's on-board charger and battery management. The i4 achieves up to 205kW peak DC; in practice, BMW's flat charging curve means average speeds from 20-80% are often closer to the peak figure than for some rivals, which compensates in real journey times.
The UK's ultra-rapid charging infrastructure, principally IONITY and Gridserve motorway hubs, now operates at up to 350kW. This matches the 800V vehicle capability on this list and means fast-charging speeds are increasingly limited by the car, not the charger, at these locations.
If you have noticed that your EV charges quickly up to around 80% and then slows noticeably for the last 20%, this is not a fault. It is a deliberate protection mechanism.
Battery cells can be damaged by overcharging. As the battery approaches full capacity, the charging system reduces the power input to prevent excess voltage across the cells, in a similar way to how you fill a glass more carefully as it approaches the brim. This tapering is described as the charging curve, and it varies by model: some EVs maintain a high rate up to 70-75% before tapering, while others begin tapering earlier.
The practical implication: charging from 80% to 100% typically takes roughly as long as charging from 20% to 80%. If you are on a road trip and stopping to charge, planning your stop to reach 80% and then driving on is significantly more time-efficient than waiting for a full charge.
This applies to rapid DC charging. Home AC charging overnight is slow enough that the management system handles the final 20% without any noticeable time penalty; there is no reason to stop at 80% when plugging in at home.
The exception is when you specifically need the full range for an upcoming journey. Charging to 100% the night before a long trip is fine for most EVs; for NMC batteries (most models other than BYD and some MG), making a habit of overnight 100% charges does accelerate long-term degradation slightly. If you can set a charge limit (most EVs offer this in their app), 80% for daily charging and 100% for longer trips is the standard recommendation.
Peak charging speed is determined by whichever is lower: the car's maximum charge rate or the charger's output. A 233kW vehicle on a 50kW charger charges at 50kW; a 50kW vehicle on a 350kW charger still charges at 50kW.
To reach the peak speeds shown on this list, you need a compatible rapid or ultra-rapid charger. Here is a guide to the main UK networks and their typical output:
IONITY and Gridserve operate the UK's highest-output chargers at motorway and strategic locations, typically outputting up to 350kW per unit. These are the chargers where 800V vehicles such as the Kia EV6 and IONIQ 6 reach their peak speeds. Gridserve also operates a network of electric forecourts at various urban locations.
bp pulse operates a large network across the UK with outputs typically ranging from 7kW AC to 150kW DC at rapid units. Widely distributed but lower maximum output than IONITY/Gridserve.
Pod Point covers many supermarkets and public car parks with 7kW AC units; some locations have 22kW or rapid DC units. Generally suited to longer dwell times rather than fast top-ups.
Osprey and similar urban rapid networks typically operate at 50-150kW DC.
Home chargers (7-22kW AC) are for overnight charging, not rapid top-ups. They are significantly cheaper to use than public rapid chargers: home electricity at around 7p per kWh versus up to 75p per kWh at some public rapid networks. The economics of home charging are strong; public rapid charging is best reserved for journeys where you cannot reach your destination on a home charge.
The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y reach 250kW peak on Tesla's V3 Supercharger network, the highest figure on this list. The Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 6 reach 233kW on compatible 350kW DC chargers via 800V architecture. At third-party CCS chargers, Tesla speeds are typically 170-200kW, so the 800V E-GMP cars may be faster in practice depending on which network you use.
It is the time taken to charge a battery from 10% to 80% state of charge at peak conditions. This is the standard benchmark for comparing charging speeds because it represents the most realistic scenario for a motorway charging stop; most drivers arrive at a charger with some charge remaining and leave before reaching 100%. The final 20% charges significantly more slowly and is excluded from this benchmark.
Higher voltage allows the car to accept the same power at lower current. Lower current means less heat generated in the cables and cells, which allows the battery management system to accept power at a higher rate safely. 800V vehicles such as the Kia EV6 and IONIQ 6 can therefore peak at 233kW, compared to around 100-210kW for most 400V vehicles.
Yes. Most 800V vehicles include an on-board converter that allows them to use 400V rapid chargers, though at a reduced speed rather than their peak rate. You are not restricted to ultra-rapid chargers; you simply will not reach peak speed on a standard 50kW or 150kW unit.
To protect the battery cells from overcharging. As the battery approaches full capacity, the charging system progressively reduces the input power to avoid cell damage. This tapering typically means the final 20% takes roughly as long as the preceding 60%. Planning charging stops to 80% on road trips is significantly more time-efficient than charging to 100%.
Frequent use of rapid DC charging above 100kW does accelerate battery degradation at approximately double the rate of slower AC home charging, at around 3% per year versus 1.5%. For drivers who rapid charge occasionally and charge at home most of the time, the impact over the battery's eight-year warranty period is small. Daily rapid charging is worth factoring in if you are a high-mileage user.
Prices vary significantly by network. Public rapid charging can cost up to 75p per kWh at some networks, which narrows or eliminates the running cost advantage over petrol depending on your EV's efficiency. IONITY charges by the minute rather than kWh at some locations. Home charging at around 7p per kWh remains substantially cheaper; public rapid charging is best used for journeys where home charging is not sufficient.
This depends on the car's efficiency and charging speed. At 233kW (Kia EV6 or IONIQ 6) on a compatible charger, adding 100 miles of WLTP range takes approximately 10-15 minutes. At 50kW, the same 100 miles takes around 45-60 minutes. Real-world range gained per minute of charging varies by model, ambient temperature, and battery state of charge.