The 2026 Cadillac Optiq is one of General Motors’ first electric vehicles to use Tesla’s NACS charging standard, which gives it access to more than 20,000 Supercharger charging stations in North America. However, real-world fast-charging tests on the Supercharger V3 (up to 250 kW) showed that the limitation comes from the car’s charging curve: power peaks at 147 kW and then drops off rapidly after 40% battery, making total charging times difficult to reach the popular 25–30 minutes.
NACS opens charging network, but new curve is “key”
The Optiq has an 85 kWh battery pack, which is larger than the Tesla Model Y (75 kWh) and about the same as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (84 kWh). However, recent GM EVs have not been known for their fast charging speeds. The Optiq’s maximum DC power output is capped at 150 kW, and previous tests have found it difficult to maintain a consistently high output on an Equinox EV or Blazer EV.
GM doesn’t publish a 10%–80% charge time, just “81 miles (≈130 km) in about 10 minutes” on a 150 kW station. This phrasing emphasizes added range rather than standard charging time.
Supercharger V3 test data: early power drop
In a real-world test (the battery was preheated for about 20 minutes), the Optiq entered a Tesla Supercharger V3 station at 14% battery and displayed 35 miles (≈56 km) remaining. Notable milestones:
- Charging immediately reaches 147 kW (nearly the car's maximum), then gradually decreases.
- 21% after 3 minutes, starting to see power drop.
- 37% to 129 kW; machine expected to reach 80% in 25 minutes.
- 50% below 120 kW.
- 58% (~170 miles ≈ 274 km) remaining 112 kW.
- 60% down to 85 kW (about half of what it was originally).
- After 25 minutes to 65% and 194 miles (≈312 km); now with only 67 kW of power left, the 65%–80% charge will definitely be slow.
The test ends when the displayed distance is enough for the next trip.
Quick comparison: competitors hold power better
According to InsideEVs and related tests, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 when charging with NACS is only around ~126 kW but holds steady, reaching 10%–80% in about 30 minutes. The 2026 Subaru Solterra with a smaller battery (74.7 kWh) stays above 100 kW to over 65%, reaching 16%–80% in about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, the Equinox EV rarely exceeds 100 kW at a 150 kW station; even at a 350 kW station, the 20%–80% time is usually around 35 minutes.
The results show that “NACS does not automatically make every car a fast charger”: the port standard is only one part, and the actual speed depends on how the car manages its battery and charging curve.
Main specifications table (according to relevant test and publication)
| Item | Cadillac Optiq 2026 |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 85 kWh |
| Charging standard | NACS (Tesla) |
| Accessible charging network | More than 20,000 Supercharger stations (North America) |
| Maximum DC charging capacity of the vehicle | 150 kW |
| Testing station | Tesla Supercharger V3 (up to 250 kW) |
| Battery status at start | 14%, 35 miles (≈56 km) |
| Peak power recorded | 147 kW |
| Time after 25 minutes | 65%, 194 miles (≈312 km), power ~67 kW |
Fast charging from a technical perspective
The Optiq's conservative charging curve is evident: high power only appears at low battery levels, then drops off rapidly after ~40%. This calibration prioritizes safety and battery life, but comes at the cost of longer charging times than competitors that maintain a more consistent high power.
Conclude
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq benefits greatly from the NACS standard thanks to Supercharger coverage, but actual charging speeds will still depend on the 150 kW limit and the car’s own charging curve. With the early power drop, the Optiq’s 80% charge time may be longer than today’s average. Expectations are reasonable: NACS makes getting to the station convenient, but how fast it is is up to the Optiq to decide.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/cadillac-optiq-2026-sac-thuc-te-tren-tesla-supercharger-10312610.html
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