Close X
Thursday, October 31, 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

E 450 All-Terrain: E-Class wagon receives rugged makeover

E 450 All-Terrain: E-Class wagon receives rugged makeover
What’s better than a Mercedes-Benz wagon? Why, an off-road version naturally. The 2022 E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain is the vehicle we didn’t know we needed, offered as part of the refresh a couple of years back. And it’s pretty darn cool.

E 450 All-Terrain: E-Class wagon receives rugged makeover

Cadillac makes first move towards zero emissions

Cadillac makes first move towards zero emissions
The stylish exterior manages to look futuristic and familiar at the same time. High-tech barely-there headlights are hidden in the vertical strip on either side of the black crystal grill housing a monochrome badge. The low roof ends in an integrated spoiler optimizing aerodynamics.

Cadillac makes first move towards zero emissions

Edmunds: Cadillac CT4-Blackwing vs BMW M3 sport sedan battle

Edmunds: Cadillac CT4-Blackwing vs BMW M3 sport sedan battle
It’d be hard to find a more appropriate rival than BMW’s M3, which has been a staple in the German brand’s lineup for decades. It too has numerous upgrades over a regular 3 Series to considerably increase performance. Which sedan is right for you? Edmunds compared them to find out.

Edmunds: Cadillac CT4-Blackwing vs BMW M3 sport sedan battle

Edmunds: Best EVs with the longest driving range

Edmunds: Best EVs with the longest driving range
Edmunds has conducted its real-world driving range test on over 40 EV models. The test is a mixture of city and highway driving. Below is a list of five EVs that have driven the farthest in our testing, starting with the longest. We also include EPA-estimated driving ranges as well.

Edmunds: Best EVs with the longest driving range

Edmunds compares: Volkswagen Arteon vs Kia Stinger

Edmunds compares: Volkswagen Arteon vs Kia Stinger
Do some shopping for a new midsize sedan and you’ll find that just about every model provides high levels of comfort and the latest in technology and safety. But what if you also want it to be stylish and engaging to drive while also still being practical? Consider the Volkswagen Arteon and Kia Stinger. Which is the better buy? 

Edmunds compares: Volkswagen Arteon vs Kia Stinger

Edmunds: Ford Lightning vs Rivian R1T

Edmunds: Ford Lightning vs Rivian R1T
Ford’s all-electric F-150 Lightning, was the second EV pickup to arrive this year. It achieves competitive range and power, while packaging clever features in a traditional full-size pickup body. Which truck is the better buy? Edmunds’ experts compared them to find out.  

Edmunds: Ford Lightning vs Rivian R1T