The gas is gone, will the waiting end too?

In the past, when buying a car, we would open and close the door to try and understand the thickness of the sheet metal. We would listen to the engine sound, ask, “How many seconds does it take to reach 100 km/h?”, measure the trunk volume, and note the fuel consumption. There was a period of debate over diesel versus gasoline; later, safety packages, the number of airbags, multimedia screens, and driving comfort came to the fore. Today, with electric vehicles, most of these reflexes have changed. Now, the two most frequently asked questions in the showroom are: “What is the range?” and “How long does it take to charge?”

The range issue has been largely resolved over the years. Today, many electric cars can travel between 400–600 kilometers on a single charge. However, charging time remains a controversial topic. This is because, in electric vehicles, charging time does not depend solely on the vehicle's battery; many factors such as the charging infrastructure used, battery temperature, and even software management directly affect this duration. In short, charging time in electric cars is not a simple matter that can be explained with a single figure. Moreover, two different types of charging come into play here: alternating current (AC) charging used in homes and direct current (DC) charging used at fast stations. The fundamental difference arises from the speed and conversion at which electricity is transferred to the battery.

THE BIGGEST FACTOR IS VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE

The most critical element determining the charging speed of electric cars is the battery's electrical architecture. Most electric cars on the market today use a 400-volt architecture. In these systems, fast charging usually takes place at the 150–250 kW level.

For example, in models like the Tesla Model Y, it takes about 25 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80% at fast-charging stations. However, some manufacturers have adopted a different approach. Brands like Hyundai and Kia have significantly increased charging speed by developing vehicles with an 800-volt architecture. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the best-known examples of this. The vehicle can reach from 10% to 80% in about 18 minutes at 350 kW ultra-fast charging stations. This architecture allows for more energy to be transferred in less time thanks to the higher voltage. However, this system also has a limitation: to benefit from this speed, a charging station of the same capacity is required.

One of the latest examples of this race came from the Chinese manufacturer BYD. The second-generation Blade battery and “Flash Charging” system developed by the company aim to radically shorten charging times in theory. According to data shared by BYD, with the new system, an electric vehicle can reach from 10% to 70% in about 5 minutes, and from 10% to 97% in about 9 minutes. The company even claims that this time only increases by a few minutes even in extreme cold conditions such as -30 degrees.

These figures theoretically represent an experience approaching the refueling time of an internal combustion vehicle. However, there is a critical detail here: to reach these speeds, not only the vehicle but also ultra-fast charging stations near the megawatt level are required. In other words, technology must develop not only in the automobile but also in the infrastructure.

CHARGING STATIONS CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING

One of the other misunderstandings regarding electric vehicle charging times is that users focus on a single figure. Yet, the same vehicle can charge in completely different times in three different environments.

Home charging: Home-type AC charging usually provides 7–11 kW of power. Alternating current does not go directly to the battery; the onboard charger in the vehicle converts this electricity into a form the battery can use. That is why the speed remains limited. It can take 6–10 hours for an average electric car to fully charge. Although this seems like a long time, it does not create a problem in practice because the majority of users charge their vehicles overnight.

Urban fast charging: In DC fast-charging stations, electricity is transferred directly to the battery. Since the onboard converter is bypassed, energy can be loaded at a much higher speed. For this reason, it takes about 30–40 minutes for a vehicle to reach from 20% to 80% at stations operating at 50–150 kW of power.

Ultra-fast charging: New generation stations can provide 250–350 kW of power. In this case, the charging time can drop to around 20 minutes.

However, even the fastest systems usually cannot charge the battery to 100%. The reason for this is that battery chemistry accepts energy more slowly at high charge levels. That is why manufacturers usually provide charging times as 10%–80%.

BATTERY CHEMISTRY: THE INVISIBLE WAR

Another important factor determining the charging speed of electric vehicles is battery chemistry. Two main battery types stand out on the market today:

• NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt)

• LFP (lithium iron phosphate)

While NMC batteries offer higher energy density, LFP batteries are considered more durable and safer. BYD's Blade battery uses an LFP-based structure. This design makes the battery more stable while being able to better manage the heat generated during fast charging.

Most of the new generation battery technologies are actually looking for an answer to a single question: how can we prevent overheating while fast-charging the battery? Because fast charging, when managed incorrectly, can significantly shorten the life of the battery.

THE REAL ISSUE IS INFRASTRUCTURE

Although electric vehicle charging times are falling rapidly, the real determining factor is still infrastructure. Today, the majority of charging stations in the world still operate at the 150 kW level. Stations providing 350 kW or higher power are quite limited. Therefore, the fact that a vehicle can theoretically charge in 15 minutes does not mean that it can charge in that time everywhere in practice. That is why automotive companies are not only developing vehicles; they are also trying to build their own charging networks.

Tesla's Supercharger network is one of the most successful examples of this. Chinese manufacturers are trying to implement a similar strategy on a larger scale. BYD's plan is not just to produce vehicles; it is also to create its own ecosystem by installing tens of thousands of ultra-fast charging stations.

WHAT DO DRIVERS SEE IN TURKEY?

Among the networks most frequently encountered by drivers in Turkey are operators such as Trugo, ZES, Eşarj, and Tesla Supercharger. According to data from the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), there are more than 9 thousand charging stations and over 25 thousand charging sockets in the country, and this number is increasing every month. The charging experience varies significantly depending on the usage scenario.

In the city, users often prefer AC charging points located in shopping malls or parking lots. Although these points are slower, they are sufficient for daily use because the vehicle is parked for a long time.

On long journeys, the picture changes. DC fast-charging stations installed on highways and at rest facilities can provide drivers with significant range in 30-40 minutes. In particular, the Trugo network established by Togg, Tesla's Supercharger stations, and fast-charging points of operators like ZES are making long-distance electric vehicle use increasingly possible in Turkey.

However, there is a striking fact here: it is not possible to reach the maximum charging speed technically supported by vehicles at every station. Even if a car can theoretically charge at a speed of 250 kW, if the station you are at is 100 kW, the actual charging time increases accordingly.

THE REAL TRANSFORMATION IN ELECTRIC CARS

In the early years of electric cars, the biggest concern was range. Today, the sector is focused on a new goal: creating a 'refueling' experience as fast as that of gasoline vehicles. When battery technology, vehicle architecture, and charging infrastructure develop together, this goal no longer seems distant.

As we approach this goal, the most critical threshold in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles is also being crossed. And it seems that the new race in the automotive industry is taking place not over kilometers, but over minutes spent at the plug.