For electric-car buyers in 2026, charging speed is increasingly competing with maximum driving range as a priority. The argument is that most drivers do not need a battery sized to cover 1,000 km without stopping: Spanish motorists average less than 40 km a day, while many European drivers make only two or three long journeys a year.
Bigger batteries can add range, but also weight and cost. The extra mass can raise energy use and increase wear on tyres, brakes and suspension. The article points to the BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 as examples of high-range models with large batteries that are also heavy and expensive. In some cases, paying €4,000 for a larger battery may deliver 30% more range, but the piece argues that this trade-off will not suit most buyers.
China is helping shift attention toward charging performance. More powerful battery systems, including 800-volt platforms, and faster public chargers could make shorter stops practical. BYD’s Flash Charging system is cited as an example: rated at 1,500 kW, it has been shown in China charging a large battery from 20% to 97% in under nine minutes.
The article’s conclusion is not that range no longer matters, but that buyers may benefit more from efficient cars and faster, more widely available chargers than from oversized batteries. It says further battery improvements and expansion of public charging infrastructure are still needed for that approach to work well.