Eight-Minute EV Fast-Charging Coming To Europe in 2025

BYD’s five-minute megawatt-charging demonstration in China sent ripples through the global EV community, showing that electric vehicles could be replenished almost as quickly as filling up a gas tank. In that brief pause, drivers gained an astounding 262 miles (421 kilometers) of range, rewriting the script for long-distance travel. Now, Europe is preparing to offer a similar experience, thanks to Ionity’s cutting-edge charging technology set to debut later this year.

Ionity, backed by automotive giants like BMW Group, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen Group, is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of electric mobility. With a robust network of over 5,000 charging points already delivering up to 350 kW to each connected EV, the company has been at the forefront of Europe’s ultra-fast charging evolution. This year, Ionity plans to take things to the next level by rolling out megawatt-capable stations that promise to cut charging times even further.

These new stations will be the first in Europe to feature Alpitronic’s HYC 1000 system, a powerful solution capable of delivering up to 600 kW to a single vehicle. While the system’s total capacity reaches 1,000 kW—split across up to four individual stalls, each with dual liquid-cooled charging cables—it’s the first step towards truly transformative charging experiences in Europe. A single installation can simultaneously serve up to eight vehicles, though power is dynamically allocated among them.

The practical implication? A potent enough EV plugged into one of these next-generation chargers could gain as much as 186 miles (300 kilometers) of range in just eight minutes. While today’s EVs in Europe aren’t yet ready to fully capitalize on the 600 kW peak, the stage is set for the arrival of new models designed to take full advantage of this rapid refueling capability.

Ionity’s chargers will be smart enough to dynamically adjust power delivery based on each car’s maximum charging rate. So whether it’s a Porsche Taycan or a Hyundai Ioniq 5—both of which can comfortably handle more than 200 kW—or an MG4 with a lower ceiling, drivers can expect an efficient and tailored experience at each session.

Beyond individual charging stops, Ionity’s vision extends across borders. In a recent move to supercharge its network’s reach and simplicity, Ionity has teamed up with Fastned, Atlante, and Electra to create Spark Alliance, Europe’s largest DC fast-charging network. Starting this summer, drivers across Europe will be able to use a single app to access more than 1,700 stations and 11,000 fast-charging stalls, offering seamless EV travel from Portugal to Poland.

For European drivers, this is a transformative leap forward. What was once a multi-hour wait at a public charger is now closer to the time it takes to fill a conventional fuel tank. While China’s megawatt-charging feat might have set the global benchmark, Ionity’s rollout promises to bring the same level of excitement and convenience to Europe, ushering in a new era of rapid, reliable, and range-boosting electric mobility.

The future of EV charging in Europe isn’t just about faster top-ups—it’s about reshaping how we travel, plan, and connect across a continent that’s swiftly transitioning to electric. Ionity’s upcoming megawatt-capable chargers are a powerful symbol of this shift, ensuring that the next road trip won’t just be cleaner, but faster than ever. Now, the question is, when will this level of fast charging come to America?