How long does it take to charge an electric car?

We’re accustomed to refilling a petrol or diesel car within minutes at the fuel pump. Charging an electric vehicle takes more time, and it can vary significantly.

Why?

The answer is complex and depends on a variety of factors, including the charging power source and the EV model itself.

What are the factors that impact charging speeds?

Electricity flows from the grid, to the charging transformer, to the charging station, and into the vehicle via a cable.

Then, the EV's battery management system (BMS) controls the amperage and volts coming into the car, to ensure the battery doesn’t get too hot and cause excessive degradation.

Breaking it down

Charging source output

The AC power plug or AC/DC charging station equipment has a maximum electricity output. This charging rate is expressed in kilowatts (kW)

Vehicle AC/DC power input

Each EV model has its own AC onboard charger and DC charger limits. This means the maximum charge rate it can accept from any AC/DC charger under optimum conditions.

Battery size

The larger the usable battery capacity, the more electricity is needed to replenish it. This results in longer charging times when compared to a smaller pack charging at the same speed.

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Battery temperature

If the battery is too hot or cold and outside its optimum temperature range, the BMS will throttle the power input, which results in a slower charging time.

Battery state-of-charge

Batteries are more stressed out when at a higher percentage, so the BMS algorithm will slow down the charging rate over time to maintain a healthy battery.

It’s especially slow charging after 80 to 100 per cent – but that's generally discouraged by most manufacturers anyway, to help maintain good battery health.

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Okay. So... How long does it take to charge?

At a DC fast or ultra-rapid station, electric cars take between 20 to 60 minutes to charge – depending, again, on the aforementioned factors.

And, consider: If you’re going on a long road trip, you’ll likely need that time for a rest stop regardless. However, it can be a nuisance if you’re only relying on today’s patchy and unreliable public EV charging infrastructure – especially when you’re driving beyond your local area.

If you can access one, plugging into a standard 240V, 10-amp three-pin home socket will replenish most battery sizes completely in one to three (eight-hour period) nights.

However, one night’s worth of charging may provide enough driving range for the next day, based on your usage.

For most models, using an installed three-phase 11kW AC wall-box charger will allow a full recharge in just one night.

Let's see some examples!

Still sounds complicated...

Look, it's true that the details on recharging an EV will likely never be as simple as the "good ol' days" of throwing a tank of fuel into a conventional car.

But, for most people, in most cases, it won't be something that should weigh on your mind. Plug the car in when you get home, and it'll be ready to go in the morning (if not sooner) with enough charge for the vast majority of your day-to-day needs.

For more than that, well, see our links below!