The Tesla Model 3, BMW i4 and Polestar 2 can be compared on charging performance only when the exact versions and test conditions are known. A peak-power figure does not describe a whole charging stop or determine the fastest journey.
What a charging curve tells you
A DC charging curve plots power against battery state of charge. Power changes during the session, so dividing battery capacity by advertised maximum power does not predict a real charging time. A useful test records the energy added and time elapsed across the same state-of-charge window.
Battery temperature matters. Tesla's Model 3 guidance describes using Trip Planner to prepare the battery for charging. Check the manual matching the exact vehicle and software; preconditioning and route-planning behaviour should not be assumed identical across brands.
Specify the cars before comparing the numbers
| Record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Model year, battery and drivetrain | The same model name can cover different charging capabilities |
| Usable battery capacity | Gross and usable capacity are not interchangeable |
| Arrival charge and battery preparation | A cold battery or a high arrival charge changes the session |
| Charger and site conditions | Rated output does not guarantee power delivered to the car |
| Start and finish charge, energy and time | Allows comparison of the actual session |
For Polestar, select the correct model year in the official support manuals. Apply the same version check to BMW documentation and any independently measured test. Do not combine an older battery's curve with a newer model's range or price.
From charging time to journey time
Two cars can add the same battery percentage but receive different amounts of energy. They can also travel different distances on that energy. For a route comparison, set the same departure time, weather assumptions, starting charge and minimum arrival reserve. Use comparable motorway consumption evidence rather than reducing WLTP range by an arbitrary percentage.
Add the detour to the charger, any queue and the time needed to start the session. If a meal or rest overlaps with charging, record that overlap explicitly. Network coverage does not guarantee an available working connector when you arrive.
Why the previous graphs were removed
The earlier curves lacked traceable measured points for the named versions. The Hamburg-to-Munich table also presented assumed results as a road test and contradicted its own range assumptions. Those curves, journey times and winner labels have been withdrawn.
A defensible ranking needs dated test logs or comparable published tests covering each version. Until those are available, use this checklist to assess a test drive or review rather than treating unsupported power curves as purchase advice.