Hyundai already builds some of the fastest-charging electric vehicles on the road, but the company says even 18-minute fast charging is not enough for the next generation of drivers. Hyundai now aims to cut EV charging time to just three minutes, as reported by Electrek.
Models like the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform with 800-volt architecture, can charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 18 minutes when connected to a 350 kW DC fast charger. That performance is already among the best in the EV market. But according to Tyrone Johnson, head of Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, consumer expectations continue to push faster.
Johnson says many drivers want EV recharging to feel as quick and simple as filling a gasoline tank, even if this expectation stems more from psychology than from practical need. People worry about range loss and rare situations where they may need to add hundreds of miles quickly, so Hyundai’s long-term goal is to match the refuel times they’re familiar with.
To reach three-minute charging, Hyundai is developing systems capable of handling 400 kW and beyond. The idea is to dramatically boost charging speed without relying on larger, more expensive battery packs. This matters most for drivers who cannot charge at home and rely heavily on public infrastructure.
Although Hyundai advertises 350 kW charging today, real-world speeds often peak closer to 250 kW due to battery temperature, charger limitations, and environmental factors. Still, the industry is moving upward. The Porsche Taycan currently leads with 320 kW capability, and new models such as the Lucid Gravity and Porsche Cayenne Electric are targeting 400 kW peak rates.
Hyundai believes hitting three-minute charging will help erase one of the last major mental barriers to EV adoption. Faster charging, paired with longer ranges and widespread public infrastructure, could make refueling an electric car feel indistinguishable from pumping gas.
