Charging speed isn't only about the station — a car's own maximum DC charging rate, battery chemistry, and thermal management all determine how fast it actually charges, even at a high-power station.
What to check when comparing cars
Manufacturers publish a peak DC charging rate (in kW) and a typical 10-80% charging time — comparing these two figures across models is more useful than assuming a bigger battery automatically charges faster.
Why some EVs sustain high speeds longer
Better battery thermal management lets some vehicles hold a high charging rate for more of the charging curve, rather than tapering off early — this is often a bigger real-world difference than the peak kW number alone suggests.
800V architecture
Some newer EVs use higher-voltage (800V) electrical architecture specifically to support faster charging with less heat, generally enabling faster real-world charging than older 400V-based designs at the same station.
Does a higher peak kW rating always mean a faster overall charge?
Not necessarily — a car with a lower peak rating that sustains it for longer can charge faster overall than one with a higher peak that tapers off quickly, so the full charging curve matters more than a single headline number.