BUSINESSES not only need to focus on electric car range when adding lease vehicles to their fleet, but also how fast those cars can be charged.
It means that a company driver on a longer journey isn’t sat still for any longer than necessary while the battery is replenished with electrons.
In other words, how many miles of range can you add per hour?
For example, if one electric car (EV) covers 300 miles on a charge, but the driver regularly needs to cover 400 miles, it may well be worth considering an EV with a 250 mile range but one that has a much quicker charging time.
There are plenty of ultra fast charge suppliers around now. These include bp Pulse, Fastned, Gridserve, Tesla Superchargers, Instavolt, and Ionity for example. These are capable of topping up a battery’s charge in 15-20 minutes, making journeys more comfortable and quicker for fleet drivers.
So which cars should SME fleets choose? We’ve researched the fastest charging electric cars around – those that can take the greatest power rates from those high power DC chargers you see in locations from motorway services to McDonald’s car parks.
In general terms, the higher the power a car is able to take, then the time taken to recharge will be shorter.
The EVs have been ranked on an mph charging speed. This is actually a theoretical figure establishing the number of miles that can be added to the battery during a one hour charge.
Although none of the EVs is able to charge for an hour at such a high rate – the battery would be fully charged in that time – this charge rate is a handy method of differentiating the models.
For those of you want to know more about charging speeds, this website has a useful explanation for the technically minded.
This feature is produced in association with Rivervale Leasing
Porsche Taycan
- Maximum DC charge rate:
- How fast to take charge?
- How quick 10-80%
- 262kW
- 640mph
- 12-15 minutes
Not only is the Porsche Taycan unbelievably quick on the road, it also barrels in the electrons at the fastest speed: 640 miles of charge in an hour. It’s one of just two models capable of taking 262 kW DC of charge, which can see drivers refill most of the battery’s 301 mile range in just 12-15 minutes.
For senior SME directors, the Taycan’s performance, range and speed of charging make it a compelling choice.
Audi e-tron GT
- Maximum DC charge rate:
- How fast to take charge?
- How quick 10-80%
- 262kW
- 630mph
- 12-15 minutes
The only other car to take a charge rate of 262kW is the Audi e-tron GT – it’s just pipped by the Taycan because it’s marginally less efficient. In reality, there’s little difference between the two: a quick 10 minute top up will add almost 200 miles of range from a high-power charger for an ultra fast charge and go pit stop.
Tesla Model 3
- Maximum DC charge rate:
- How fast to take charge?
- How quick 10-80%
- 250kW
- 480mph
- 25 minutes
Until recently, Tesla had one of the fastest charging speeds, and has only been superseded in recent years by the latest electric cars from established car brands. It’s in our list of best fleet cars because it’s a great all-round business proposition and can still charge at up to 250 kW DC, adding charge at a rate of 480 mph.
With a 290 mile range, this means the Tesla Model 3 manages to combine high charging speeds and a large battery to deliver real long-distance fleet potential. And don’t forget, drivers can also use the super efficient Tesla’s Supercharger network, too.
Kia EV6
- Maximum DC charge rate:
- How fast to take charge?
- How quick 10-80%
- 233kW
- 630mph
- 18 minutes
Kia has been making a significant impact on the SME fleet market, and its top-line Kia EV6 can take much of the credit for this. The car can charge at 630mph, allowing it to take up to 80% of the battery’s 328 mile range in just 18 minutes – about the time you need to take a rest break and grab a coffee in a motorway service station.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Maximum DC charge rate:
- How fast to take charge?
- How quick 10-80%
- 221kW
- 590mph
- 20 minutes
If you need an extra couple of minutes for a service station rest break and cup of coffee, then head for Hyundai’s equivalent of the Kia EV6, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It takes DC charge at a slightly slower rate – 221kW plays 233kW (630mph versus 590mph) – and will take 20 minutes to fill its battery to 80% of the 298 range.
In other respects, it’s just as significant for the SME fleet sector as the Kia.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Why not join the conversation on SME fleets – visit our LinkedIn SME Fleet Discussion page