Charging trends: Average charge power.

For new electric vehicle (EV) owners, the topic of charging speed can be a source of confusion and misconception. Many drivers believe that the higher the power (measured in kilowatts) of the charger they plug into, the faster their car will charge. As a result, they often seek out the highest-power charger available when they need to charge en route.

However, the reality is a bit more nuanced. While there are a few EV models capable of charging at very high powers, thanks to their 800V systems (e.g. the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Porsche Taycan), the majority of EVs available in 2023 do not fall into this category. In fact, the peak charge powers of the top 10 best-selling cars are all under 180kW, with average charge powers at around 100kW. This means that in real-life scenarios, the charging time for these cars will not be significantly different at a 100kW charger than at a higher powered charger.

*Based on the standard Model Y. The Model Y Long Range Dual Motor advertises a peak charging power of 250kW, which in the right conditions would see it charge slightly faster (a few minutes at most) on a charger higher than 150kW.

A closer look at the data reveals that only two models, both Teslas, show improved charging times when using a 150kW charge point. So, while Charge point operators are installing higher-power chargers, such as Osprey's latest hubs that support charging up to 300kW via 800V systems, to future-proof their infrastructure, the majority of cars on the road today will not experience substantial time savings from these high-power chargers. In fact, while the average charge power of cars is increasing each year, it is at an incremental rate, increasing by a modest 3kW from 2022 to 2023.

What drivers truly value is not the maximum charging speed but the overall charging experience. They prefer waiting on a charger so that they can leave their car and enjoy a pleasant environment with easy access, food, coffee, and facilities rather than waiting for a charger to become available, sitting in the car park.

Therefore, in locations where the grid connection is limited, installing multiple 150kW or even 75kW charge points can adequately meet the charging needs of the majority of cars for several years to come and provide a superior charging experience.

Ultimately, a 20-30 minute break during a journey in a pleasant environment with convenient charger access, food, coffee, and facilities is unlikely to drive anyone back to their petrol or diesel car. The overall charging experience matters more than achieving the absolute fastest charging speeds for a handful of cars.

The speed of car charging in 2023 should be understood in the context of the most common car models' capabilities and average charging powers. While high-power chargers are being installed to accommodate future advancements in EV technology, the majority of cars currently on the road will benefit more from having multiple moderately high-power charge points available. As the EV market continues to evolve, prioritising the overall charging experience will be essential in driving widespread adoption and customer satisfaction.

Sources: SMMT (May 2023) ; EV-Database.uk