Alpine A390 fastback sets charging benchmark with advanced battery tech

Renault sports brand Alpine is entering the electric fastback segment with the A390 and is set to push boundaries in fast-charging performance when it launches later this year.

Equipped with a triple-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain and an 82kWh battery, the A390 GTS will deliver both high performance - 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds - and long-distance capability, with a range of up to 345 miles.

Despite using a 400V electrical architecture - rather than the newer 800V systems found in some rivals - the A390 achieves DC fast charging speeds of up to 190kW.

Alpine’s charging management allows the A390 to recover two hours of motorway driving in under 20 minutes and charge from 15% to 80% in under 25 minutes, positioning it among the fastest-charging EVs on the market in real-world scenarios.

At the heart of this capability is a new high-performance battery developed specifically for Alpine by French battery specialist Verkor.

Manufactured in France, the 400V battery features an advanced nickel-rich NMC chemistry and a bespoke cooling system that enables consistently high discharge and charge rates.

The system can deliver up to 1,200 amps to power the car’s three motors while maintaining performance, even at lower states of charge.

The battery pack comes in a larger 89kWh configuration for models equipped with 20- or 21-inch wheels, to push the range up to 345 miles while a heat pump is fitted as standard to help maintain range in colder conditions.

Alpine says that average charging speed is more important than peak figures and that the system is engineered to sustain high charge power over longer periods, allowing for quick, reliable top-ups that reduce downtime on longer trips.

UK pricing will be announced later in 2025, with first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter.