The big difference between petrol/diesel-powered cars and electric vehicles (EVs) is the time it takes to replenish their energy.
The old-fashioned way is to fill your car with liquid, but now we’ve moved to a more advanced way of refuelling your vehicle, which is similar to how one might charge a mobile phone.
This means charging times vary according to the car and the type of charger.
First-generation electric cars would take more than a day to fully charge, but the technology is now so advanced that you can have a full battery in no time at all with fast charge cars.
Here are some of the best fastest-charging used electric cars for 2023.
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Vauxhall Corsa-e
One of the Vauxhall Corsa-e's biggest flexes is its ability to fast charge up to 100kW, which is almost unheard of for a small electric car.
Charging at these speeds means the Vauxhall Corsa can replenish its battery from 15% to 80% in less than 30 minutes.
Let’s say you listened to a podcast or watched an episode of a Netflix show while your car was charging – the time would fly by.
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Volkswagen ID.3
The Golf’s imminent replacement – the ID.3 – has stolen the heart of everyone who’s stepped foot in one. Not only is a used Volkswagen ID.3 excellent value for money, but it's also well-built and offers rapid charging – Volkswagen really didn't miss a beat with this one.
This means it's capable of charging up to 150kW, which means it takes less than 30 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%.
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Polestar 2
Like the others on this list, the Polestar 2 can charge at all speeds, but if you plug it into a rapid charger, expect speeds of 150kW. This means 80% of the charge can be replenished in around 25 minutes.
And, because Polestar is a branch of Volvo, you get all the usual great build quality and advanced features you’d find in an XC90 and then some.
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Tesla Model Y
In its Long Range guise, the Tesla Model Y can travel more than 300 miles on a single charge, meaning the reality of charging when you’re out is less daunting.
However, should you need to charge when you’re away from home, you’ll have access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, which is one of the best in the world.
Its rapid charging speeds are up to 210kW, so a full charge would take less than 30 minutes.
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Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 can charge at a rate of up to 220kW, which makes it one of the fastest-charging cars on this list.
This is thanks to its onboard technology, which is able to cope with the vast amounts of electricity coming at it.
The EV6 can, of course, charge at normal speeds such as 7kW, but this will take significantly longer.
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Hyundai IONIQ 5
Being one of the newest cars on this list, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the quickest to charge.
At its fastest rate, the IONIQ 5 will rapidly charge at a staggering 225kW, meaning its battery can go from 0-80% in less than 20 minutes.
You won't need to sit in your car for that long while you wait for it to charge, but it's worth noting the Hyundai does have a splendid interior.
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Tesla Model 3
When it comes to electric cars, one of the most popular worldwide is the Tesla Model 3. This is thanks to its compact size, affordability, and excellent technology.
However, Tesla does better than any other EV manufacturer when it comes to its charging infrastructure. Tesla’s Supercharger network has a monopoly over most others because of its reliability and speed.
The Model 3 can charge at up to 250kW, which means you can get from 10% to 80% in just over 20 minutes. This really comes in handy if you’re in a hurry.
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Porsche Taycan
If it's the fastest charging speeds you’re after, then a used Porsche Taycan is the one to get.
Thanks to its impressive capabilities, it can charge up to 350kW. If you want greater on-road performance, then the Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo is the car to have.
This means a charge between 0-80% will take just 22 minutes. Most people don’t do a full charge at a public charger anyway, so in reality, you’re looking at a very short stop while you and the car recharge.
Learn more about electric car charging:
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