How long does it take to charge an electric car at a public charging station width
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Charging an electric car takes too long.
Snapshot
- Charging speed is limited by both power source output and vehicle input capabilities
- Times vary from a few nights to 20 minutes
- No need to wait recharge while its sat at home or when taking a rest stop on-the-move
Recharging an electric vehicle takes more time than refuelling a traditional petrol or diesel car, but in reality, it doesnt take too long.
Its a hard expectation to break: pumping in litres of fuel within minutes.
However, think about what you can do during recharging and there's essentially no need to deliberately wait.
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Does charging an EV take too long?
At a public DC fast or ultra-rapid charging station, expect to take between 20 to 60 minutes to recharge from 10 to 80 per cent.
And, consider: if youre going on a long road trip, youll likely need that time for a rest stop regardless, especially when with children.
The same applies if youre eating, doing a grocery shop or exploring other nearby amenities while charging.
However, it can be inconvenient if youre not preoccupied with anything else particularly if you only rely on todays patchy public EV charging infrastructure which is the more expensive method to run an electric car.
Ideally, if you can access a plug at home, the EV can conveniently recharge overnight when its not in use.
A standard three-pin domestic socket will trickle charge enough driving range for most Australians daily needs and can fully replenish in one to three nights (when electricity is cheapest).
Using an installed single-phase 7kW AC wall box can guarantee a full recharge in one night for most models (if required).
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Know the charging speed limits
How fast an EV charges depends on two key factors the power source output and model's power input capabilities.
The rate of electricity is expressed as kilowatts (kW). Each model has separate caps for slow AC charging power and fast DC charging power.
For example, the MG 4 Excite 51 has a peak 88kW DC charging capability.
However, plug in at a pricier 350kW DC ultra-rapid station and its limited to taking in a maximum of 88kW under optimum conditions.
Conversely, if you plug in a Tesla Model Y RWD which features a 170kW DC charging capability on a 50kW DC public fast charging station, it will only peak at 50kW under optimum conditions.
Importantly, the battery management system (BMS) software also throttles charging speeds if the pack is outside its ideal temperature range (i.e. too hot or too cold) and when its at a higher percentage.
There are charging losses in the energy transfer process to the vehicle, too, especially when slow AC charging (an inverter needs to convert AC to DC power).
Therefore, owners will rarely achieve the maximum charging rate when plugged in at a compatible station, at least for an extended period.
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How much time does charging take?
All charging times below are estimated, unless disclaimed. It assumes recharging from 10-80 per cent (70 per cent charge) and doesn't account for charging losses.
The following serves as a rough guide only. The real-world charging time will differ depending on the aforementioned limitation factors.
| MG 4 Excite 51 (max 6.6kW AC/88kW DC) | Tesla Model Y RWD (max 11kW AC/170kW DC) | Kia EV6 (max 10.5kW AC/350kW DC) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8kW AC (home plug) | 20 hours (estimated) | 22.5 hours (estimated) | 29 hours (estimated) |
| 7kW AC (single-phase wall box) | 5.5 hours (estimated) | 6 hours (estimated) | 7.5 hours (estimated) |
| 11kW AC (three-phase wall box) | 5.5 hours (estimated) | 4 hours (estimated) | 5 hours (estimated) |
| 50kW DC (fast public charging station) | 40 minutes* | 50 minutes (estimated) | 73 minutes* |
| 350kW DC (ultra-rapid public charging station) | 37 minutes* | 20 minutes (estimated) | 18 minutes* |
| *Official quoted claim from manufacturer |
How to calculate EV charging times
Simply divide the usable battery capacity (kWh) by the charging rate speed (kW) to gain an rough time estimate. For example:
- The Tesla Model Ys 57.5kWh usable battery takes about 32 hours to recharge from 0-100% on a 1.8kW trickle charging home plug.
If you want to know how long youll need to charge to travel a certain distance, the charging speed (kW) is roughly the same value as the kilometres youll get from 10 minutes of charging. For example:
- If using a 50kW DC public charging station, you will get around 50 kilometres for every 10 minutes of charging
Recharging an EV will likely never be as simple as the good ol' days of pumping fuel into a conventional petrol or diesel car.
But, for most people and in most cases, it shouldnt be something that should weigh on your mind.
Similar to your smartphone, 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 majority of owners daily driving needs.
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How much does it cost to charge an EV?
Reduced charging costs is a key reason to make the EV switch, but what should owners expect to pay for home and public charging? Check out the guide linked below for more.
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Is it time to make the electric switch?
EVs are not for everyone (for now), but they are right for most. Charging availability, driving range and battery longevity remain key perceivedissues. For more, check out our /Electric hub guides below.
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How Long Does It Take To Charge an Electric Car?
Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular with drivers who desire these vehicles eco-friendliness and cutting-edge design. These days, buyers turn to them because they want to save money as they steer clear of gas stations.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are also becoming cheaper to own and easier to maintain thanks to a proliferation of charging stations at shopping centers, office buildings, and other public places. Also, the federal government offers up to $7,500 in tax incentives for buying select new or leased cars. There are also incentives for select used electric cars.
However, charging these cutting-edge electric automobiles may hinder their popularity due to a lack of charging stations in certain areas and slow charging times in many cases. Even extreme weather conditions like below-zero temperatures or high heat can wreak havoc on drivers ability to charge their vehicles.
How can drivers maximize how much time they can drive on a single charge? Lets start with some factors that can affect how much time they spend charging their EVs in the first place.
Factors That Impact EV Charging Time
Charging times can vary due to several factors. What is your power source? How much power can your electric car handle? How can drivers charge their vehicles and get back on the road more quickly? Depending on an electric vehicles charging source and battery capacity, some drivers can charge their cars to 80% in as little as 15 to 30 minutes using a Level 3 fast charger (more on that in a bit).
Unfortunately, that isnt the standard. Most drivers will need at least a full day to charge a fully depleted electric car battery if they use the standard three-prong plugs found in the walls of most homes.
Other Factors That Impact Electric Car Charging Time:
- Your batterys size: Level 1 outlets (like those you use at home) charge car batteries at the slowest rate. If your vehicle offers more battery capacity (measured in kWh), youll need more time to charge your car battery fully.
- Your vehicles maximum charging rate: How much of a charge can your vehicle accept at once? Your vehicles maximum charge rate is static, so you wont save time by charging your battery at a more powerful charging station.
- The power of your charging station: Your charging time also depends on the maximum charging rate of the charging station you are using. Even if your car can charge at a higher rate, it will only charge at your charging stations maximum power rate, adversely affecting charging time.
- The weather in your area: Lower temperatures can affect vehicle efficiency and lengthen charging times, especially when using rapid chargers. Conversely, hot weather can also affect your electric cars thermal management systems, affecting its efficiency. Hot conditions can also test an electric vehicles internal resistance, rising as battery charges increase.
- Is your battery empty or full?: Drivers rarely charge their vehicles from an empty battery. They usually top up their batteries instead to lengthen the time they can drive on a single charge, which generally saves drivers significant charging time. According to automotive expert Matt DeLorenzo, if you need to charge your car when its below 20% of charge or above 80%, its like a balloon. When you blow up a balloon, getting the first few puffs of air into it is hard the same goes for when its almost full, said DeLorenzo, the author of How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwads Guide to EV Ownership. He added, Its the same thing with an EV. It takes more energy to push the current into the battery and the charge time slows down.
Your Power Source for Charging
Start with your home power source to get a sense of how long it will take to charge your car. A Level 1 power outlet charges at the least amount of power, while Level 2 chargers can plug into outlets like the ones electric clothes dryers use and charge at twice the power.
Unlike Level 1 chargers, however, youll need an electrician and a compatible circuit to install a Level 2 charger at home. (A quick way to calculate the power you can generate is to multiply your voltage and the number of amps you plan to use.) Companies like California-based startup Splitvolt have also developed splitters that let EV drivers use a standard household garage outlet without unique installations.
Level 3 chargers (also called DC fast chargers or DCFCs) use a high-voltage direct current that goes straight to the cars battery. However, these chargers arent compatible with every electric vehicle. They are hard to find beyond public spaces like malls and parking garages, though infrastructure continues to grow. Beyond that, many drivers who cant use DC fast chargers opt for the combined charging system (CCS). CCS supercharges its power sources by conjoining Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.
RELATED:How EV Charging Could Become Easier in the Future
Your Cars Charging Capacity
You should also consider your cars charging capacity when figuring out how long it will take you to charge it. For calculations, get the optimal charging time for your electric vehicle by dividing the battery capacity (measured in kWh) by the power rating of your cars onboard charger, then adding 10% to the loss of power associated with charging it.
For example, a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range has an 11.5-kW onboard charger and an 82-kWh battery pack, which would take roughly 6.5 hours to charge fully using a Level 2 charger.
The Tesla Supercharger can charge at 250 kW, which would lower that charging time to approximately 15 to 25 minutes.
PRO TIP: Remember, EV battery technology constantly improves and evolves. Ask lots of questions about the battery and estimated charging times when purchasing a new or used electric car.
What To Know About Rapid Charging
Rapid or fast charging seems easy and convenient. But that speed comes with a caveat. Even the fastest charging time can decrease significantly when the battery falls under 20% or above 80%.
This keeps the battery from overcharging and keeps it in optimum condition. Many manufacturers gauge charging times by how long Level 3 DC fast chargers can charge your battery to 80%.
Rapid charging is also becoming easier to access thanks to plans from Electrify America and others continuing the push to build out the nations charging infrastructure and Tesla starting to open its network to other vehicles. Also, more manufacturers plan for their EVs to adopt the Tesla charging port.
RELATED:How EV Charging Could Become Easier in the Future
Top-Up Charging
Anyone whos ever driven a car with a standard gasoline engine has topped up their gas tanks or filled them way before the gas gauge hits E. It makes sense: No one wants to run out of gas, especially on a long road trip. But should you top up your electric cars battery the same way? Not really.
The battery works best when it isnt running below 20% or above 80%. Many manufacturers discourage topping up batteries in hot weather since the act of charging combined with excessive heat can adversely affect your electric cars thermal management systems and internal resistance systems.
That can adversely affect how well your car works over time.
Heres How Long It Takes To Charge an Electric Car
How long would it take to fully charge some of the leading electric cars on the road? According to research from the manufacturers websites and Fueleconomy.gov, see the charging estimates using a Level 2 and DC fast charger for the following 2024 models. Remember that different models feature different battery sizes, and these are estimates.
