Close X
Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVT 
Reviews

Edmunds testers seek out the fastest charging electric vehicles

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Dec, 2023 11:38 AM
  • Edmunds testers seek out the fastest charging electric vehicles

How much range an electric vehicle has is a primary consideration for many EV shoppers in determining which one they should purchase. But nearly as important is how quickly an EV can charge at a public fast-charging station. After all, the quicker you can charge your EV, the quicker you can get back on the road and continue driving.

One problem, however, is that it can be hard to understand and compare various charging speed claims by automakers. That’s why Edmunds came up with a new independent test to help consumers quickly and easily compare the charging speeds of different EVs.

EDMUNDS CHARGING TEST

Automakers use different ways to express how quickly their vehicles charge. Looking at automaker websites, you might see one automaker say its EV can use fast charging to charge from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes, while another touts that its EV can add 100 miles of range in just 20 minutes. It’s nearly impossible to compare these different automaker claims and understand which vehicles are actually the best.

The Edmunds EV Charging Test is standardized and combines charging information from the EV-testing specialist company P3 along with Edmunds’ own real-world testing data on how much electricity an EV uses per mile of driving. The resulting figure is an easy-to-compare measurement expressed as miles per charging hour.

A vehicle with a higher miles per charging hour tested figure will ultimately require less of your time spent waiting and charging compared to a vehicle with a lower miles per charging hour figure. EVs that charge quickly and are efficient in their use of electricity score the best in this test, while slow-charging EVs or those that use a lot of electricity to drive will have the worst results.

THE QUICKEST-CHARGING EVS

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan scored the highest in Edmunds’ test, with a potential of gaining 868 miles per charging hour in ideal conditions and when using an appropriately powered charging station. Other EVs with impressively quick charging speeds of more than 500 miles per hour include the related Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV, Kia’s EV6 and EV9 SUVs, Porsche’s Taycan sport sedan, the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, and Mercedes-Benz’s EQS sedan.

The laggard of Edmunds’ testing so far is the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, which has a potential charging speed of just 172 miles per charging hour. While the Bolt EUV is pretty efficient and well rated by Edmunds overall, its slow charging power holds it back from being an ideal long-distance driving EV.

EV CHARGING EXPLAINED

There are different types of charging that are often called Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 charging. The last of these is often referred to as fast charging because it requires the least amount of time to put the maximum amount of electricity and driving range back into an EV’s battery pack.

Level 1 charging uses a standard 120-volt household power outlet. This makes it the most convenient means to recharge, but far and away the slowest method. A Level 1 charge usually adds only 2-3 miles of range for every hour the EV is plugged in. To achieve a full charge using this method could take days depending on the car’s state of charge and battery size.

Level 2 is considered a much more user-friendly alternative because it significantly slashes recharge times. A 240-volt power source is used in Level 2 charging, which is typically what’s used to power an oven or a laundry room dryer. Charging an EV in a home is typically done with a Level 2 setup. A typical EV charging with a Level 2 power source might gain around 25 to 35 miles per charging hour.

Finally, we come to Level 3, or what’s commonly known as fast charging. Fast charging is great for EV drivers who are traveling long distances and need a quick way to add range. It also works well for EV owners who don’t have access to a home charger, such as people living in apartments or homes without a garage.

EDMUNDS SAYS

It never hurts to do your research when it comes time to choose the best electric vehicle for your driving needs and budget. If you will only use your EV for city driving and have a home charging setup, a quick fast-charging speed isn’t that important. But owners wanting to use their EV for frequent long road trips should make charging speed a big consideration.

 

MORE Reviews ARTICLES

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross
The 10-way power-adjustable heated driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive and for 2023 a next-generation Toyota Multimedia infotainment system is standard showcasing an eight-inch touchscreen and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. While an improvement over the outgoing technology it’s not the most intuitive offering on the market. 

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

2023 Kia Sportage X-Line

2023 Kia Sportage X-Line
The Sportage, particularly in the Limited grade is more premium than expected for the segment featuring hydro-dipped wood dash trim and quilted-centre leather seating. Kia’s decision to continue using an ergonomic T-shaped shift lever is a nice touch amid a sea of rotary and button-type transmission selectors. 

2023 Kia Sportage X-Line

2023 Mercedes-Benz C300

2023 Mercedes-Benz C300
The former grill shape is flipped 180 degrees into an appealing thinner A-shape, housing a large emblem flanked by a single chrome blade slicing through the diamond open-star pattern. One of the items the C 300 borrows from its bigger sibling is the large 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, mounted right below the central air vents. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz C300

2023 Honda HR-V:Urban crossover gets a new look

2023 Honda HR-V:Urban crossover gets a new look
Honda’s answer to the Mazda CX-30 and Nissan Kicks, the HR-V, returns for a second generation completely redesigned for 2023. Longer, wider and boasting the same platform and engine as found in the Civic the vehicle has matured nicely offering a good option for small families.

2023 Honda HR-V:Urban crossover gets a new look

Edmunds: The pros and cons of software running your car

Edmunds: The pros and cons of software running your car
: More and more vehicles will be run top to bottom by software, not hardware. In some cases, the future is already here. What will it be like for shoppers when vehicles are dominated by bits and bytes instead of gears and gaskets? Edmunds’ experts break down what’s in store.    

Edmunds: The pros and cons of software running your car

Edmunds Top Rated Awards announced for 2023

Edmunds Top Rated Awards announced for 2023
Edmunds came up with six winners for best car, SUV, truck and the electric versions of each. Some vehicles are repeat winners while others are new champions. We’ve listed the vehicles below, sorted by vehicle type. All prices include destination charges.

Edmunds Top Rated Awards announced for 2023