The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is making waves in the electric vehicle market, with its impressive charging capabilities and access to Tesla Superchargers. In 2024, it was the fourth best-selling electric car in America, selling over 44,000 units. With the introduction of the 2025 model, which comes factory-fitted with a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, the Ioniq 5 is poised for even greater success.
Access to charging stations has been a major challenge for EV adoption, but the tide is turning. Major automakers in the U.S. have agreed to equip their EVs with the Tesla charging port, allowing them to tap into the extensive Tesla Supercharger network. The 2025 Ioniq 5 is the first non-Tesla EV in the country to come equipped with the Tesla-developed NACS port, now standardized as the J3400 connector.
Charging the Ioniq 5 at Tesla Superchargers has been a game-changer. With peak charging speeds of 135 kilowatts on V3 Superchargers, the Ioniq 5 can charge from 10-80% in just 24 minutes for the smaller battery and 29 minutes for the larger battery. Additionally, the Ioniq 5 can charge at even faster stations like the 350 kW Electrify America dispensers using a CCS adapter.
A recent charging test conducted by Out of Spec Reviews compared the charging speeds of the Ioniq 5 and the Tesla Model 3 at a V3 Tesla Supercharger. While the Model 3 has a higher peak charging rate, the Ioniq 5 maintains a more consistent charging curve between 10-80% state of charge. In the test, the Ioniq 5 narrowly beat the Model 3 to 80%, adding nearly 60 kWh in 30 minutes and 37 seconds compared to the Model 3’s 56 kWh in 32 minutes.
However, there were some issues during the test, with the Ioniq 5 abruptly stopping charging midway. While the difference in charging times was negligible, it raised concerns about the reliability of non-Tesla EVs using the NACS port at Tesla Superchargers.
Overall, the Ioniq 5’s access to Tesla Superchargers is a significant advantage for Hyundai and could be a game-changer in the EV market. However, the test highlighted potential challenges with using the NACS port for non-Tesla EVs. As the EV market continues to evolve, ensuring a smooth and reliable charging experience will be crucial for all automakers. As electric vehicles become more popular, automakers are making efforts to provide seamless charging solutions for their customers. Hyundai recently announced that buyers of the 2025 Ioniq 5 will receive free Level 2 chargers for their homes. This move is aimed at making charging more convenient for owners of the electric SUV.
While this is a step in the right direction, there may still be more work to be done to make the charging process completely seamless. One potential issue that could arise is the availability of charging stations outside of the home. While Level 2 chargers are great for overnight charging, they may not be practical for on-the-go charging needs.
To address this issue, automakers like Honda and Acura have partnered with Tesla to provide access to the Supercharger network for their electric vehicles. This will allow Honda and Acura EV owners to charge their vehicles quickly and conveniently at Tesla’s extensive network of fast charging stations.
However, not all automakers have been able to provide this level of seamless charging experience for their customers. Kia recently announced that they have delayed access to Tesla Superchargers for their EVs, citing technical challenges as the reason for the delay.
In order to truly make the charging process seamless for electric vehicle owners, automakers will need to continue working on expanding charging infrastructure and improving interoperability between different charging networks. This will ensure that EV owners can easily find and use charging stations wherever they go, without having to worry about compatibility issues or long wait times.
Overall, while progress has been made in making the charging process more convenient for electric vehicle owners, there is still more work to be done to make it truly seamless. By addressing issues such as charging infrastructure and interoperability, automakers can ensure that EV owners have a hassle-free charging experience both at home and on the road.