Charging Speed thoughts.

[RickMachE]

Owning both a Mach-E and a Lightning, I much prefer the Lightning's charging curve. Of course with a batter that is 44% larger, it takes longer to charge.

The Mach-E average charge speed is in the 1.5 to 1.7kWh per minute range (10/20% to 80%, not a scientific analysis). The Lightning is more like 1.8 to 2.3kWh per minute (I have not analyzed the speed from this past Feb/March with the improved Lightning curve). In the end, both take 30 to 40 minutes to charge, I don't sit and say "ooh, that took 32 minutes and would have taken 36 minutes in the Mach-E".

The big difference is in 800v charging at a charger than can deliver it, like Mercedes or the newer EA units. People are getting speeds in the mid 200s. Compared the Mach-E, that's 1/2 the time on a stop.

It all depends on the trip. Day trip with 2 or 3 stops, who cares. 3 week trip with 60 stops, 15 minutes per stop adds up to 15 hours...

Sponsored

 

[phidauex]

I'd agree with most folks, the charge curve is "pretty good, could be better". As an early adopter I do remember our early charge curves which were much worse. After at least one, maybe a few updates that addressed DC charge curves, things got a lot better. Same with other quality of life issues like charger connectivity and plug and charge working.

I'd like to see faster charging, but I wouldn't hold your breath with 400V systems, some cars are a bit faster than others, but it is small. You really need 800V to make a meaningful change in charge speed. My only wishlist on charging for the '21 right now is for Plug and Charge to respect my Tesla and EA Pass+ membership discounts!

 

[music_cities]

In two years of ownership only once did I get impatient at a DCFC charger. It was a 50kW charger and I'd recently gone pee and wasn't hungry. We were impatient to get home, and the next DCFC was over a mountain pass in winter, so we couldn't cut it short. I had spent a few hours at my brother's house and I'd need a janky adapter to use the RV/"Tesla" receptacle his electrician put in years ago before things were standardized. And, I didn't yet have access to the Tesla supercharger near his house.

Every other DCFC charging stop in my MachE has been fully time occupied by going to the bathroom, buying coffee, catching up on my phone notifications, having a good meal, or looking at a nearby sight/attraction. So, no, for me I have no need for faster charging. My happiest charging moments are actually 50kW chargers in the middle of charming small towns while eating lunch at their finest restaurant. If there isn't such a restaurant, I'm happy with ~90kW speed, since I still have to pee, stretch, check my email, and buy coffee, or eat at some other restaurant.

On the other hand, unreliable chargers that don't start, growing my frustration as I try different ports, or drive to a different station, *really* annoy me.

So, no, charging speed isn't important. Charging reliability is.

Note: on road trips, I stay at hotels with L2 chargers, and start the morning at 100%.

 

[amaranth]

Just wanted to chime in on charge rate for 2025 GT. It's pretty good, I can get 100kw+ avg on a 16%-80% charge. It starts at 155 ish, then tapers slowing to 130s when I get to 55%, then tapers to 90+ depending on temps at close to 70%.

Honestly, pretty happy. Could it be faster? For sure. It's definitely not as fast as the porches and the ioniqs and the kias, but I don't think we have that good of a 800v charging infra here either. I also had another session from 40%->75%, and it held a 130kw charging rate until around 60%. On a lower charge from 18%-49% I averaged over 135kw.

 

[silverelan]

On a lower charge from 18%-49% I averaged over 135kw.

this is an interesting comparison to a similar charging session I had. 23% to 50% in 12 mins, 23kWh; 115kW average.

 

[amaranth]

this is an interesting comparison to a similar charging session I had. 23% to 50% in 12 mins, 23kWh; 115kW average.

Interesting to see indeed. They made sizable improvements to the 25s from seeing your charging rate. I think we're pretty good as far as 400v/90(ish)kwh battery size goes. Anything that charges considerably faster either is on 800v(Porsche/Korean) or has a huge pack size so it accepts more current(think Rivian/Polestar/F150). I'm also really impressed on how long it holds a 90% max charge rate. We're quite a bit faster than the EQEV, a tiny bit faster than the Ariya, and about the same as a Tesla M3/MY. We're way faster than the BZ/Solterras.

 

[Homestead]

I got 96.5 kW charge rate on my 23 LFP using Tesla charger. Went from 30% to 80% in 23 minutes and was happy with that.

 

[silverelan]

Interesting to see indeed. They made sizable improvements to the 25s from seeing your charging rate. I think we're pretty good as far as 400v/90(ish)kwh battery size goes. Anything that charges considerably faster either is on 800v(Porsche/Korean) or has a huge pack size so it accepts more current(think Rivian/Polestar/F150). I'm also really impressed on how long it holds a 90% max charge rate. We're quite a bit faster than the EQEV, a tiny bit faster than the Ariya, and about the same as a Tesla M3/MY. We're way faster than the BZ/Solterras.

10-80% the 2026 Model Y LR and 2025 MME ER are probably 3-5 mins apart in charge times. The thing is, people naturally road trip using 12-15 mins stops, not 25-35. That’s where the MME falls short against the Model Y but especially Ioniq 5 and EV6.

When Electrify America were the only charging stations available back in 2021-2023, you would stop every 80-90 miles and spend 15-20 mins to get enough range to make it to the next EA station.

With so many more charge point operators like PFJ, IONNA, Mercedes-Benz, ElectricEra, Circle K, etc we now have loads more options. So now instead of distance intervals of 80 miles, we can stop at 100, 120, 150, etc. However, the MME cant make it without sitting on a charger for 30-40 minutes. Meanwhile, Model Y and the Koreans and Germans are all long gone.

 

[Adventureboy]

people naturally road trip using 12-15 mins stops

I think the average road trip stop takes much longer than this. Try timing it sometime. It takes 12-15 minutes just for fuel, then add bio break/coffee on top.

My 2022 ER is around 100 kW in most charge sessions. Sometimes dropping to 90kw or as high as 120kw. With the MME, by the time I take a bio break and grab a coffee, I'm rushing back to get the car by the time it hits 80% so I'm happy with the rates. Any faster and I'd have to break up the bio and coffee breaks to move the car. In fact, if we take a short lunch break, I usually do have to move the car in the middle of lunch.

 

[voxel]

A friend picked up Hummer EV tonight and traded in his terrible 4680 Model Y (these had Toyota like charging curves… just awful).

This is 800V charging. Rivians would barely hit 50% this speed. There’s a massive difference between a 12-15mins stop with an Ioniq 5 vs. a 45min stop with a Rivian R1S.

 

[Billyk24]

Owning both a Mach-E and a Lightning, I much prefer the Lightning's charging curve. Of course with a batter that is 44% larger, it takes longer to charge.

The Mach-E average charge speed is in the 1.5 to 1.7kWh per minute range (10/20% to 80%, not a scientific analysis). The Lightning is more like 1.8 to 2.3kWh per minute (I have not analyzed the speed from this past Feb/March with the improved Lightning curve). In the end, both take 30 to 40 minutes to charge, I don't sit and say "ooh, that took 32 minutes and would have taken 36 minutes in the Mach-E".

The big difference is in 800v charging at a charger than can deliver it, like Mercedes or the newer EA units. People are getting speeds in the mid 200s. Compared the Mach-E, that's 1/2 the time on a stop.

It all depends on the trip. Day trip with 2 or 3 stops, who cares. 3 week trip with 60 stops, 15 minutes per stop adds up to 15 hours...

Mach-E and a Lightning,........If my memory (and reading skills) serves correctly, the F-150 Lightning has a more advanced battery pack design, improved thermal regulation? Allowing higher kW rates and improved charging curve? link: Inside the Ford Lightning’s Serviceable Battery Modules - Munro We wish this design would be offered to the current model year.

 

[E90alex]

A friend picked up Hummer EV tonight and traded in his terrible 4680 Model Y (these had Toyota like charging curves… just awful).

This is 800V charging. Rivians would barely hit 50% this speed. There’s a massive difference between a 12-15mins stop with an Ioniq 5 vs. a 45min stop with a Rivian R1S.

Well the R1S has a much bigger battery as well

 

[4sallypat]

Mach-E and a Lightning,........If my memory (and reading skills) serves correctly, the F-150 Lightning has a more advanced battery pack design, improved thermal regulation? Allowing higher kW rates and improved charging curve? link: Inside the Ford Lightning’s Serviceable Battery Modules - Munro We wish this design would be offered to the current model year.

I had an SR Lightning (2022) and now SR Mach E (2023) - the Lightning has a higher initial charge and longer + higher charge curve than the Mach E.

Speed of charging is not really important as I tend to use the charge time for other errands / work.

And I try to get to 100% charge at public DCFC (Tesla) and L2 at home as I believe in not underfilling the "tank"....

 

[AZBill]

A friend picked up Hummer EV tonight and traded in his terrible 4680 Model Y (these had Toyota like charging curves… just awful).

This is 800V charging. Rivians would barely hit 50% this speed. There’s a massive difference between a 12-15mins stop with an Ioniq 5 vs. a 45min stop with a Rivian R1S.

I have a Hummer EV and it has an excellent charging curve. At a PFJ/GM Energy charger I hit 347kw, and went from 30% to 80% (107kwh) in 26 minutes. That is a 250kw average. Another session I did at EA, I went from 31% to 85% in 32 minutes with a 325kw peak and added 122kwh (230kw average). I charged at a Rivian charger once with it and got 303kw peak, that was all the charger could output. The new 400kw chargers should be able to give me 370kw peak, but have not had a chance to try one yet.

The GM vehicles do not drop the rate at 80%, they ramp down linearly from about 75% to 100%. I can get 180kw at 80% on an 800V capable charger, and 150kw at 80% on a Tesla charger at 400V (assuming the Tesla charger does not derate, which they do quite often in the summer months).

 

[Billyk24]

I have a Hummer EV and it has an excellent charging curve. At a PFJ/GM Energy charger I hit 347kw, and went from 30% to 80% (107kwh) in 26 minutes. That is a 250kw average. Another session I did at EA, I went from 31% to 85% in 32 minutes with a 325kw peak and added 122kwh (230kw average). I charged at a Rivian charger once with it and got 303kw peak, that was all the charger could output. The new 400kw chargers should be able to give me 370kw peak, but have not had a chance to try one yet.

The GM vehicles do not drop the rate at 80%, they ramp down linearly from about 75% to 100%. I can get 180kw at 80% on an 800V capable charger, and 150kw at 80% on a Tesla charger at 400V (assuming the Tesla charger does not derate, which they do quite often in the summer months).

Many of us wish for similar experience.

Sponsored