The US at present lacks the five-minute fast-charging know-how for electrical automobiles (EVs) that’s out there in China. Nonetheless, American EVs are making vital strides in charging velocity.
Among the many fastest-charging choices within the U.S. proper now are the 2025 Porsche Taycan and the 2026 Lucid Gravity. Each fashions are outfitted with superior electrical architectures, high-performance motors and batteries, and a deal with effectivity to reduce downtime.
The Gravity can theoretically accommodate as much as 400 kW of peak charging energy, whereas the Taycan is rated at 320 kW. Because of the Taycan’s smaller battery, it’d cost sooner in a head-to-head situation.
Not too long ago, Tom Moloughney, a contributor for InsideEVs and host of the State of Cost YouTube channel, carried out a check evaluating these two automobiles. He labeled it a “charging drag race” between the fastest-charging EVs out there, apart from these from Chinese language producers like BYD.
In keeping with the U.S. Division of Vitality, the typical period for a session at a public DC quick charger in America was about 42 minutes in 2024. Precise charging instances can fluctuate on account of a number of elements, reminiscent of battery dimension, beginning cost degree, charger velocity, and climate. For example, the Kia EV6 can cost from 10% to 80% in roughly 20 minutes utilizing a 350 kW charger. The charging curve, which describes how lengthy a automobile can preserve its peak charging velocity, additionally performs a vital function.
Within the check, each the Taycan and Gravity have been related to a 350 kW station, ranging from a 0% state of cost. The Gravity rapidly reached charging speeds of 350 kW, whereas the Taycan took a minute to ramp up. After 5 minutes, the Taycan had the next state of cost, however the Gravity had acquired extra power—30 kWh versus the Taycan’s 23 kWh. On the ten-minute mark, the Taycan was at 48% with speeds of 311 kW, whereas the Gravity was at 42% with 277 kW, however nonetheless had extra power allotted to it.
After fifteen minutes, the power distinction was minimal, with the Taycan nearing 70% cost in comparison with the Gravity’s 55%. By the 19-minute mark, the Taycan reached the perfect 80% cost, whereas the Gravity was at 64%. But the Gravity continued to cost at a sooner price, reaching 80% in 27 minutes. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that 80% cost within the Taycan interprets to fewer driving miles than the identical cost within the Gravity.
Whereas it appeared that the Taycan was the victor at first look, Tom identified that the Gravity had acquired 10 extra kilowatt-hours, translating to about 40 to 50 miles of driving vary. Finally, the Taycan reached 100% in 53 minutes, whereas the Gravity took 74 minutes.
Charging to 80% is usually essentially the most vital metric for EV drivers, significantly for luxurious fashions like these, each of which charged to 80% in below half-hour from empty. Tom famous that their speedy charging capabilities are spectacular.
Regardless of the Gravity being examined on a 350 kW charger, it has the potential to make the most of as much as 400 kW, which isn’t extensively out there but. This limitation raises questions concerning the Gravity’s true charging potential.
When contemplating how rapidly every automobile provides miles of vary relatively than simply battery share, the Gravity emerges because the clear winner.
Tom, together with many others, believes it is solely a matter of time earlier than the fast-charging know-how seen in China arrives within the U.S. Till then, the Lucid Gravity holds the title for the quickest charging EV in America.
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