In the premium 400V segment, the Tesla Model 3 LR sets the charging benchmark: 10-80% in 27 minutes at 250 kW. BMW i4 and Polestar 2 need around 30 minutes, while the Mercedes EQS 450+ takes 35 minutes but compensates with a 770 km WLTP range that often eliminates the need to charge at all. Analysis based on ADAC 2025 and carwow test data.
Data from tests: ADAC Charging Test 2025, carwow charging test 2025, Tesla published data, ev-database.org. Measurements at 200+ kW DC charger.
Comparison table - charging specifications
| Model | Battery | DC max | 10-80% | WLTP range | Price from (DE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 LR AWD | 82 kWh | 250 kW | ~27 min | 629 km | ~49,000 EUR |
| BMW i4 eDrive40 | 83.9 kWh | 200 kW | ~31 min | 590 km | ~58,000 EUR |
| Polestar 2 Long Range | 82 kWh | 205 kW | ~30 min | 551 km | ~48,000 EUR |
| Mercedes EQS 450+ | 118 kWh | 200 kW | ~35 min | 770 km | ~104,000 EUR |
The Model 3 LR stands out in this group: 250 kW is significantly higher than the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 (200-205 kW), giving it a real edge on long-distance routes. The EQS 450+ has the largest battery - 118 kWh - and despite the slowest charging rate it rarely needs to stop during a day's driving, with a realistic highway range of around 640 km. The question is not which car charges fastest but which car requires charging least often.
DC charging curve - comparison chart
Charging curve analysis - model by model
Tesla Model 3 LR AWD - segment leader in charging speed
The Model 3 LR curve is relatively steep - it charges at 255 kW at 5% SoC but drops to 200 kW by 40% and 150 kW by 60%. Tesla uses an aggressive low-SoC charging strategy and then quickly tapers power. In practice, the best results come from shorter stops to 60-65% SoC, which Tesla Navigation accounts for automatically when routing via Superchargers. The Supercharger network itself is an additional advantage - UK and European coverage exceeds Ionity's footprint in many regions.
BMW i4 eDrive40 - flat curve, predictable charging
The BMW i4 has an unusually predictable curve: from 5% to 50% SoC power holds in a narrow band of 190-202 kW with no dramatic spikes or drops. After 50% it tapers gradually; at 80% it delivers roughly 95 kW. The ADAC 2025 test confirmed a 10-80% time of 31 minutes - 4 minutes behind the Model 3, but with a more consistent midrange that makes trip planning straightforward.
Polestar 2 LR - near-identical to the BMW i4, slightly higher peak
The Polestar 2 LR opens at 207 kW and holds around 200 kW to 35% SoC, then tapers slightly faster than the BMW i4 but more slowly than the Model 3. Official 10-80% time is around 30 minutes. The Polestar 2 is notable for running Android Automotive OS natively - one of very few cars in this segment to offer full Google integration without relying on a phone connection.
Mercedes EQS 450+ - slowest charging, but least often needed
The EQS 450+ curve runs relatively flat at moderate power: from 200 kW at 5% down to 130 kW at 60% and 85 kW at 80% SoC. The 10-80% time of around 35 minutes reflects the large 118 kWh battery. But the EQS rarely needs to charge en route: on a Hamburg-Munich journey the EQS can reach Munich with battery to spare in mild conditions, starting from a full charge. For executive travel the large battery makes the slower charging rate largely irrelevant day-to-day.
Real-world route test: Hamburg - Munich (775 km)
Hamburg to Munich is the standard German EV benchmark at 775 km. Highway consumption assumed 20% above WLTP at 130 km/h. Start at 80% SoC, charge to 80% each stop.
| Model | Real range (highway) | Stops | Total charging time | Total trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 LR AWD | ~520 km | 1 | ~27 min | ~7 h 27 min |
| BMW i4 eDrive40 | ~490 km | 1 | ~31 min | ~7 h 31 min |
| Polestar 2 LR | ~480 km | 1 | ~30 min | ~7 h 30 min |
| Mercedes EQS 450+ | ~640 km | 1 | ~20 min | ~7 h 20 min |
The EQS 450+ needs only a brief top-up stop on the Hamburg-Munich route despite its slower charge rate, because it starts with so much range that only a relatively small SoC gain is needed to complete the journey. The Model 3 LR finishes the trip fastest among the cars that need a full 10-80% charge. BMW i4 and Polestar 2 follow closely at 30-31 minutes. All four are substantially faster than older 150 kW peak EVs that would need 45-55 minutes for the same SoC gain.
Business and company car context
For companies expensing vehicles for field sales or consultants, charging time has a direct cost. At a fully-loaded staff cost of €50/h, saving 8 minutes per stop (Model 3 vs BMW i4) saves €6.70 per trip. At 100 long-distance trips annually that is €670 - modest for one car, but at fleet scale of 20 vehicles the difference becomes €13,400 annually in recovered time. The Tesla Supercharger network advantage is also measurable: en-route planning with guaranteed charger availability vs the uncertainty of third-party HPC availability matters for consistent business travel schedules.
Summary - which model to choose?
Tesla Model 3 LR AWD is the pick for frequent long-distance drivers who want to minimise time at chargers. The Supercharger network and 27-minute 10-80% are a combination hard to beat at this price point. BMW i4 eDrive40 offers a more predictable charging curve and a premium interior, but at a higher purchase price with slightly longer charge sessions. Polestar 2 LR is the alternative for those seeking a Tesla substitute with similar charging performance at a comparable or lower price. EQS 450+ essentially eliminates charging anxiety on routes up to 640 km - at ~€104,000 it targets executive and flagship fleet use. Calculate the full TCO for your exact scenario at czympojade.com/wizard.
Sources: ADAC Charging Test 2025 (adac.de); carwow charging speed tests 2025; Tesla published data (tesla.com); Polestar official specifications 2025; Mercedes-Benz EQS technical datasheet 2025; BMW i4 technical datasheet 2025; ev-database.org real-world data. Measurements at 200+ kW DC charger at optimal battery temperature 20-30°C.
Liczby w artykule pochodzą z silnika TCO v4.0 opartego na danych TÜV/ADAC/URE, weryfikowanego na 412 testach i 644 modelach pojazdów. Masz uwagi merytoryczne?Napisz: kontakt@czympojade.pl