How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car? A Quick Guide

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Charging an electric car’s battery can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 40 hours, depending on the vehicle’s battery capacity, the charging source level, and the charging equipment used.

To figure out how long it takes to charge an electric car, you need to know the charger output and the size of the battery. 

Here is a quick formula to help you work it out for your EV, followed by the main lessons of the article: 

Charging time in hours = (Battery Capacity in kWh – Current Charge in kWh) / Charger Power Rating in kW

At a Glance:
1️⃣ Different levels of EV chargers provide different charging speeds. Level 1 is the slowest, Level 2 is faster, and DC fast charging provides the quickest charging option.

2️⃣ Charging time can be reduced based on the available infrastructure and the vehicle’s capabilities, as well as strategically planning stops during longer trips.

3️⃣ Smartphone applications can provide real-time charging station availability and compatibility with specific electric vehicles, optimizing the charging process.

Factors Affecting Charging Time

Battery Capacity

The size of an electric vehicle’s battery plays a significant role in determining how long it takes to charge fully. 

A larger battery capacity, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), requires more time to charge than a smaller one.

For example, a car with a 60 kWh battery pack will take longer to charge than a 40 kWh battery pack, given the same charging power.

Charging a 60 kWh battery with a Level 1 charger would take at least 60 hours.

Charging Power

Charging times also vary depending on the power source used. There are three primary levels of EV chargers, with each providing different charging speeds. Cars.com estimates the following timeframes for each:

  • Level 1 (120-volt household outlet): over 40 hours
  • Level 2 (240-volt charging station): several hours to overnight
  • Level 3 (DC fast charger): as little as 15 to 30 minutes for an 80% charge

Battery State of Charge

The battery’s current state of charge (SoC) also impacts charging time. It typically takes less time to charge a partially depleted battery than a fully depleted one. 

As the battery nears full capacity, the charging rate slows down, with the final 10% taking nearly as long to charge as the initial 90%.

🎓 Pro Tip: It can take just as long to charge a battery from 90% to 100% as it does from empty to 90%.

Temperature Conditions

Extreme cold or hot temperatures can slow the charging process, while moderate temperatures facilitate more efficient charging. 

According to Car and Driver, these conditions can influence power source efficiency and the vehicle’s charger capacity.

EV Charging Levels

Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging. Learn them, love them and live them! Each method has different charging speeds, connectors, and accessibility.

Level 1 Charging

Level 1 uses a standard 120-volt household outlet and is the slowest charging method. 

And when I say slow, I mean slooowwww! Adding about three to six miles of range per hour of charging is possible.

So it might work for EV owners who only commute short distances daily or need to top up their battery overnight. 

Advantages of Level 1 charging include its ease of use and low installation costs since no additional charging equipment is necessary. However, it’s not ideal for large-battery electric vehicles or long road trips.

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 typically requires a dedicated 240-volt outlet and is popular for home and workplace charging as well as public charging stations.

It can take anywhere from around 4 hours to 10 hours or more to fully charge an EV, depending on the battery capacity and charging speed.

Some benefits include faster charging times, making it more convenient for everyday use and viable for vehicles with larger batteries.

DC Fast Charging

DC fast charging (also called Level 3) provides the quickest charging option. Some drivers can charge their cars to 80% in as little as 15 to 30 minutes.

DCFC is only found at public charging stations like along highways and in high-traffic urban areas.

They use high-voltage electricity to charge EV batteries rapidly, making them ideal for long road trips or emergency top-ups.

However, they may not be compatible with every electric vehicle model, and the availability of these charging stations can vary by location.

Charging Time Examples

Tesla Models

The 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range can accept an AC output of 11.5 kW charger. So with its 75-kWh battery pack (using a Level 2 charger), it would take roughly 6.5 hours to charge fully.

But Tesla’s are equipped with fast-charging capabilities. When using Tesla’s Superchargers, charging times are significantly reduced. Tesla claims their vehicles can achieve an 80% charge in as little as 30 minutes using their Supercharger network.

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is another popular model. Depending on the battery pack, the charging time can vary. Using a Level 2 charger, adding 15-25 miles of driving range per hour spent charging is common.

When utilizing a fast charger (Level 3 DC), Nissan Leaf owners can expect to reach an 80% charge within 30-60 minutes, depending on the charger’s power output and the vehicle’s specific battery capacity.

Chevrolet Bolt

The Chevrolet Bolt offers drivers an EPA-estimated 259 miles of range. Using a Level 2 charging station, Bolt owners can expect to add approximately 25 miles of range per hour of charging.

Additionally, the Bolt can be fast-charged using a DC station, allowing it to reach an 80% charge in under an hour. But remember, times may vary depending on the power output and the vehicle’s initial state of charge. 

Reducing Charging Time

For EV owners, reducing charging time can be a significant factor in improving the overall driving experience.

Proper planning is another way to significantly decrease the time you spend charging your vehicle.

Optimal Charging Settings

Selecting the appropriate charging level based on the available infrastructure and the vehicle’s capabilities is the single biggest impact on your internal time/value/charging calculation. 

Level 1 charging, using a standard 120V outlet, can take upwards of 60 hours to charge a 60 kWh battery pack fully. But it may be usable for overnight charging at home if you can supplement it with other levels elsewhere.

Level 2 charging, on the other hand, typically adds 15-25 miles of range per hour of charging and can be found at public charging stations or installed at home.

For even faster charging, Level 3 fast chargers can charge a vehicle’s battery to 80% in as little as 15 to 30 minutes.

Remember that fast chargers may not be compatible with all vehicle makes and models. You’ll quickly find out if your car isn’t supported by the charging connector not fitting. So making an error is impossible in that regard.

Planning Ahead

Being strategic in planning charging stops during longer trips can also help save time. Utilize route planning tools and smartphone applications to quickly locate convenient charging stations along your route and reduce the time spent charging. 

Some apps even provide real-time charging station availability and compatibility with specific electric vehicles.

Charging the vehicle during off-peak hours can also be beneficial, as energy demand is lower and charging may be faster.

You may also be eligible for discounted electricity rates during these times in certain regions, further optimizing the charging process.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle depends on various factors, such as the charging source, battery capacity, and the charger’s power level.

Charging times can range from as fast as 20 minutes to more than 40 hours, depending on the circumstances and availability of fast chargers.

1️⃣ Charging an electric car’s battery can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 40 hours, depending on factors such as the vehicle’s battery capacity, the charging source, and the charging equipment used.

2️⃣ The size of an electric vehicle’s battery, the power of the charging source, and the state of the battery charge significantly affect the time it takes to charge the car fully.

3️⃣ Charging time can be estimated using this formula: Charging time in hours = (Battery Capacity in kWh – Current Charge in kWh) / Charger Power Rating in kW.