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Surprising Results from Electric Car Tests. Charging Times Are Getting Shorter
The organization calls for better informing buyers about how the system works. Fot. NAF/Motor
New electric cars charge much faster than just a few years ago. The average fast-charging time has dropped from 48 to 29 minutes.
The latest El Prix test, organized by NAF and Motor, provides the data. In 2020, the average charging time from 10 to 80 percent was 48 minutes. In this year's edition, it dropped to under half an hour. The key change turned out to be the introduction of the battery preheating function before fast charging.
Faster Charging Thanks to New Technology
In 2020, none of the tested models had a battery preheating function before fast charging. Even after two hours of driving, often on the highway, not all cars reached the optimal battery temperature. This resulted in slow charging. There were cases where charging took as long as 75 minutes. Only three cars were able to charge within half an hour.
In the following years, most manufacturers introduced battery preheating systems before charging. Charging technology was improved. Cars received better energy management systems and higher charging power. As a result, the average charging time in this year's test, conducted in severe frost at the end of January, was 29 minutes. Fourteen models charged in half an hour or less, and the fastest finished charging after 12 minutes.
In the following years, most manufacturers introduced battery preheating systems before charging. Charging technology was improved. Cars received better energy management systems and higher charging power. As a result, the average charging time in this year's test, conducted in severe frost at the end of January, was 29 minutes. Fourteen models charged in half an hour or less, and the fastest finished charging after 12 minutes.
The test was conducted in severe frost at the end of January.Photo: NAF/Motor
Problems with Operating the Preheating Function
The battery preheating function is especially important in winter. Its operation is not always intuitive. In many models, it is activated by entering a specific charging station into the navigation system. The driver must select the exact charger, not just a nearby gas station.
Some manufacturers also allow manual activation of preheating. However, there are doubts about how long before charging it should be turned on. NAF points out that the system should be more user-friendly. The organization also emphasizes the need for better informing customers about how this function works in specific models.
The El Prix test, considered the largest electric car test in the world, assumes that vehicles drive for at least two hours before the charging trial and start the test with a battery level below 10 percent. These conditions are intended to ensure comparability of results and reflect real-world use of cars in winter conditions.
Some manufacturers also allow manual activation of preheating. However, there are doubts about how long before charging it should be turned on. NAF points out that the system should be more user-friendly. The organization also emphasizes the need for better informing customers about how this function works in specific models.
The El Prix test, considered the largest electric car test in the world, assumes that vehicles drive for at least two hours before the charging trial and start the test with a battery level below 10 percent. These conditions are intended to ensure comparability of results and reflect real-world use of cars in winter conditions.
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