Skoda’s electric push has been rolling along steadily, and their latest move involves dialing back the peak charging power on the Elroq 85. If you’ve been following the Czech automaker’s electric journey, you know they launched the Enyaq in 2020 and just unveiled the Elroq at Paris Motor Show 2024. With the Elroq now on the road and feedback pouring in, Skoda has decided to chill on the charging ramp-up — and surprisingly, that’s good news for drivers.
Reduced Charging Peak for a Smoother Experience
Until recently, the Elroq 85, equipped with its 77 kWh battery pack, could gulp down up to 175 kW on a fast DC charger. Now, that ceiling has been dropped to 135 kW. On paper, it sounds like a step backward, but Skoda assures us it won’t slow you down where it counts: the 10–80% charge window remains at a brisk 26 minutes.
Why does this matter? In real-world charging sessions, you only ever hit that maximum rate for a fleeting moment before the battery’s built-in management system tapers things off. By capping the peak at 135 kW and optimizing the charge curve, Skoda keeps the power at a high level longer, giving you a flatter, more consistent charge curve. The result? Similar overall charging times with less stress on both the battery and the charger.
Why Power Drop Makes Sense
Think about it: hitting a super-high 175 kW for just a minute or two is like sprinting at top speed before collapsing. Instead, Skoda’s new strategy paces the Elroq 85, holding a solid charge rate for a longer stretch. This approach echoes what they did with the Enyaq in May 2023, smoothing out the power delivery and shaving time off the total fill-up.
This smoother curve is also friendlier to charging station infrastructure. Rapid chargers can heat up or throttle back if hit too aggressively, so a less erratic draw can help keep things running optimally for everyone. Plus, when you’re grabbing coffee during your charge break, you won’t even notice the difference in waiting time — it’s all still around that magic 26-minute mark.
Battery Health and Long-Term Benefits
Rumor has it Skoda might’ve switched cell suppliers for the Elroq 85, though the company hasn’t confirmed it. If true, the new cells could be tuned to accept 135 kW more efficiently, preserving their longevity. Even if you’re only charging from 10% to 40%, you might see a slight increase of a few minutes at most. But hey, that’s still within your coffee-break window, right?
On top of that, a gentler peak charge means less thermal stress on the battery. While many EV owners already limit charging to 80% or avoid super-fast sessions daily, a built-in power cap just takes the guesswork out of it. Recent studies even suggest that real-world battery life holds up better under these moderated conditions than the more extreme lab tests, so your Elroq could remain spry for years to come.
Quick Recap: Elroq 85 Specs
Let’s not lose sight of the big picture: the Elroq 85 still packs a punch. With an official WLTP range of around 540 kilometers, you’ll get plenty of miles between charges. Under the hood, it boasts 286 horsepower, a hearty 545 Nm of torque, and rockets from 0 to 60 mph (0–100 km/h) in a brisk 6.6 seconds. The top speed is capped at 180 km/h, which is more than enough for most highway runs.
Standard gear includes Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, adaptive cruise control, and hands-free access. Pricing kicks off at about €42,470 (roughly equivalent in USD depending on your exchange), making it eligible for EV incentives that can trim €2,000 to €4,000 off that sticker. All told, you get a well-rounded SUV with smart charging tweaks that keep your battery happy without compromising your convenience.
