Xpeng’s electric vehicles, particularly the G9, have arrived in France, showcasing impressive charging capabilities. However, users experience significant charging delays at Tesla Superchargers, with power limited to 75 kW. This issue is echoed by other manufacturers like Kia and Hyundai, attributed to compatibility challenges with Supercharger systems. Xpeng is working on software updates to improve the situation, while new V4 Superchargers may provide a future solution. Most other fast chargers are compatible with 800 volts, ensuring better access to rapid charging.
The electric vehicle offerings from the Chinese automaker Xpeng have officially landed in France. We recently had the opportunity to test their flagship model, the G9, and found it impressive in many respects—until we attempted to charge it at a Tesla Supercharger.
Although the G9 can achieve a charge level of 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes using an 800-volt charger (as verified by our tests), the experience with Tesla’s fast chargers was far from satisfactory, with charging durations stretching beyond an hour. Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident.
Charging Times: An Unfortunate Discrepancy
The Xpeng G9, along with its smaller counterpart, the G6, boasts remarkable charging capabilities. With an advanced 800-volt architecture and charging power that can hit (or even surpass) 300 kW, it ranks among the best in its category for charging efficiency.
However, this impressive performance falters when connected to a Supercharger. We encountered a power limitation of just 75 kW under optimal conditions. On a V3 charger, we managed to regain only 9% of the battery in 8 minutes, leading to a projected charging time of 62 minutes for a full 10-80% charge.
Further exploration revealed that this issue is not unique to our experience. A preliminary Reddit discussion among Xpeng owners highlighted similar problems, with additional reports indicating compatibility issues with V4 Superchargers. V2 and V3 chargers can also be inconsistent in initiating the charge.
When we reached out to Xpeng for clarification, they acknowledged the problem, stating that “their technical teams have dedicated significant time to addressing this issue” and are currently “working on modifications to enhance the charging experience”. Improvements are expected through over-the-air (OTA) updates, though the timeline remains uncertain.
A Challenge Shared by Others
It’s important to recognize that Xpeng isn’t alone in facing challenges at Superchargers; other manufacturers like Kia and Hyundai are also reporting similar issues. All these electric vehicles share an 800 V architecture, whereas Superchargers operate on a 400 V current, necessitating a conversion process in the vehicle.
It appears that a software glitch may also be affecting Kia and Hyundai drivers, as some users have noticed charging improvements without any hardware changes.
Notably, “800-volt” vehicles typically have mechanisms to handle 400-volt currents. Kia and Hyundai utilize an internal “booster” that minimizes loss, as verified by a test from Challenges. Maserati employs a similar strategy for its GranTurismo Folgore, but with less favorable outcomes, limiting charging power to just 50 kW. In response to inquiries, Xpeng asserts that “charging times on a 400-volt charger are equivalent to those on 800 volts”—with the exception of Superchargers, of course.
Another emerging solution involves dividing the battery into two 400-volt modules, as seen in the PPE platform of the Audi Q6 e-tron, A6 e-tron, and electric Porsche Macan, as well as the Tesla Cybertruck. While this approach halves the power output (capping at 135 kW maximum), it promises a 10-80% charge in approximately 30 minutes, mitigating some of the delays.
On a positive note, Tesla has recently launched a new version of its V4 Supercharger, which is finally compatible with 800 volts. Although it’s advisable to steer clear of these chargers for now when driving an Xpeng, this situation may soon be temporary.
The second piece of good news is that nearly all other fast chargers currently available or in development (including those at Ionity, TotalEnergies, and Fastned) are designed for 800 volts, ensuring frequent access to rapid charging solutions.
We reached out to Tesla France for comments regarding this situation but have not received a response.