Ultra-fast charging is changing the EV experience, and with first 240kW ultra-fast chargers going live across our network in 2025, many in our community are asking: what exactly is ultra-fast charging, and how do 240kW, 120kW, and 60kW charging speeds compare? Understanding ultra-fast charging is essential for making informed decisions about the charging infrastructure.
Let’s take a closer look at what ultra-fast charging means, the real numbers behind different power levels, and how this technology is transforming the EV charging experience.
What is Ultra-Fast Charging? Understanding the Industry Standard
Ultra-fast charging represents the cutting edge of EV charging technology. In the industry, any DC charging at 150kW or higher is classified as ultra-fast, reducing the time needed to add meaningful range to your EV.
To put this in perspective:
- Traditional rapid charging: 50kW DC (the old standard)
- Ultra-fast charging: 150kW+ DC (the new standard)
- High-power charging: 350kW+ DC (premium ultra-fast)
Unlike the AC chargers we covered in our previous guide (difference between 7kW, 11kW and 22kW EV Chargers), ultra-fast charging uses DC power that bypasses your vehicle’s onboard charger and feeds power directly to your battery. This is why ultra-fast chargers can achieve higher charging speeds.
Our EV charging network includes multiple power levels – 60kW (rapid), 120kW (fast), 180kW and 240kW (ultra-fast) – each designed for specific use cases and vehicle capabilities.
Ultra-Fast Charging Speed Comparison: Real Charging Times
Let’s use a common scenario: charging a 100kWh battery EV from 10% to 80% capacity (which gives you 70kWh of energy).
60kW DC Charger (Rapid Charging)
- Charging time: 10% to 80% in approximately 55-65 minutes
- Calculation: 70kWh ÷ 60kW = 1.17 hours (plus efficiency losses)
- Classification: Rapid charging (below ultra-fast threshold)
- Best for: Urban locations, destination charging, smaller battery EVs
120kW DC Charger (Fast Charging)
- Charging time: 10% to 80% in approximately 30-35 minutes
- Calculation: 70kWh ÷ 120kW = 0.58 hours (plus efficiency losses)
- Classification: Fast charging
- Best for: Highway corridors, commercial fleets, most current EVs
240kW DC Charger (Ultra-Fast Charging)
- Charging time: 10% to 80% in approximately 18-22 minutes
- Calculation: 70kWh ÷ 240kW = 0.29 hours (plus efficiency losses)
- Classification: Premium ultra-fast charging
- Best for: Next-gen EVs, high-traffic locations, premium charging experience
Note: These calculations assume optimal conditions. Real-world charging times depend on battery temperature, state of charge, and your vehicle’s charging curve.
The Charging Curve: Why Peak Power Matters Less Than You Think
Here’s something many people don’t realize about ultra-fast chargers: your EV doesn’t charge at peak power for the entire session. Every EV has what we call a “charging curve” – the power gradually decreases as your battery fills up.
For example, a vehicle that can accept 240kW ultra-fast charging might only do so from 10% to 30% battery level. From 30% to 60%, it might drop to 180kW, and from 60% to 80%, it could be down to 100kW or less.
Vehicle Compatibility: Which EVs Support Ultra-Fast Charging?
Not all EVs can take advantage of ultra-fast chargers. Here’s a practical breakdown:
Vehicles that support 240kW+ ultra-fast charging:
- Porsche Taycan (up to 270kW)
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 (up to 235kW)
- Genesis GV60 (up to 235kW)
- BMW iX (up to 195kW)
- Upcoming models from 2025-2026
Vehicles optimal for 120kW fast charging:
- Tesla Model 3/Y (up to 170kW peak)
- Volkswagen ID.4 (up to 135kW)
- Ford Mustang Mach-E (up to 150kW)
- Most premium EVs from 2020-2024
Vehicles suited for 60kW rapid charging:
- Nissan Leaf (up to 50kW)
- Renault Zoe (up to 50kW)
- BMW i3 (up to 50kW)
- Most budget EVs and older models
As you can see, installing ultra-fast chargers when most of your customers drive vehicles that can only accept rapid charging would be like buying a Ferrari to drive in city traffic – impressive, but not practical.
Business Case: Which Charging Solution Makes Sense for Your Location?
Based on our franchise partners’ experiences and our own installations, here’s our practical advice for choosing the right charging solution:
Choose 60kW rapid charging when:
- Your location serves primarily local traffic
- Budget is limited (under €20,000 total investment)
- Grid connection is basic
- You’re targeting budget EV owners
- Installation is for workplace or destination charging
Choose 120kW fast charging when:
- Your location is on a major travel route
- You have medium-to-high traffic expectations
- Your budget allows €20,000-40,000 investment
- Grid infrastructure can support 200A load
- You want to serve the broadest range of current EVs
- You want to offer true fast charging experience
Choose 240kW ultra-fast charging when:
- Your location is premium (highway services, shopping centers)
- You expect high-value, time-sensitive customers
- Budget exceeds €30,000
- Grid infrastructure is robust or can be upgraded
- You’re future-proofing for next-gen ultra-fast charging capable EVs
- You want to offer the fastest charging experience available
Common Myths About Ultra-Fast Charging
Myth 1: “240kW ultra-fast charging damages your battery” Reality: Modern EVs have sophisticated battery management systems. Ultra-fast charging when needed (not daily) doesn’t significantly impact battery life.
Myth 2: “You need 240kW ultra-fast charging for highway travel” Reality: 120kW fast charging is sufficient for most highway travel scenarios. 240kW is about convenience, not necessity.
Myth 3: “Higher power always means faster ultra-fast charging” Reality: Your vehicle’s charging curve determines actual speed. A 60kW charger might be as fast as 120kW ultra-fast charging for the last 20% of battery capacity.
Myth 4: “Ultra-fast charging is always more expensive” Reality: Per-kWh costs are often similar. You pay for convenience and time savings, not necessarily more energy.
Choosing the Right Charging Solution for Your Needs
After installing and operating chargers across our network, here’s our practical advice:
For franchise partners starting out: Begin with 120kW fast chargers. They offer the best balance of capability, cost, and future-proofing for most locations while providing true fast charging experience.
For High-Traffic Highway Locations: Consider 240kW ultra-fast chargers if your budget allows and grid infrastructure supports it. The premium ultra-fast charging experience attracts high-value customers.
For Urban/Workplace Locations: 60kW rapid chargers often provide the best ROI, especially when combined with longer parking durations.
For Mixed-Use Developments: Install a combination – perhaps one 240kW ultra-fast charger for premium users and two 120kW fast chargers for general use.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Situation
The decision between 60kW rapid charging, 120kW fast charging, and 240kW ultra-fast charging isn’t just about the technology – it’s about understanding your market, your customers, and your business goals.
From our experience building a decentralised network of EV Chargers, the sweet spot for most locations remains 120kW fast charger. It serves the broadest range of current EVs, offers reasonable installation costs, and provides solid ROI potential while delivering true fast charging performance.
However, if you’re installing in a premium location with strong grid infrastructure and budget allows, 240kW ultra-fast chargers offer a competitive advantage and future-proof your investment for the next generation of ultra-fast charging capable EVs.
Remember, the best ultra-fast charging solution is the one that matches your specific situation – location, budget, customer base, and growth plans. It’s not about having the most powerful ultra-fast charger; it’s about having the right ultra-fast charging solution for your community.
At GoCharge Tech, we’re here to help you make that decision. Whether you choose 60kW rapid charging, 120kW fast charging, or 240kW ultra-fast charging, our platform provides the infrastructure, payment processing, and community support to make your charging business successful.
Let’s drive this change together, one smart ultra-fast charging decision at a time.
Let’s Go Charge ⚡
