How long it takes to charge an electric car and all the factors considered.
The time it takes to charge an electric vehicle (EV) depends on a few different factors:
1. The size of the battery
2. The speed (power) of the charging station
3. The charging cable that you are using
Taking these 3 factors into consideration, charging can last from 30 minutes to 12 hours.
Home charging station
A charging station at home usually will be 3.7 kW or 7.2 kW. This means a charging point with a 3.7 kW power rate will provide about 24 km per hour of charge. However, a 7.2 kW charging point will provide around 48 km an hour.
Furthermore, when it comes to home charging you can also charge your electric car through a portable charging cable. This will provide from 3 kW to 3.7 kW of power and charging time 8-24 hours for a full charge.
Public charging station
With public charging stations, you can get from 11 kW up to 22 kW of power. This is achieved through a 3-phase power supply. This charging option will provide approximately 65 km/h to 129 km/h of charge. Although this is the ideal top-up charging speed, not all EVs can accept this charging capacity. But even if your EV can’t accept 22 kW the charging station is still compatible to use, however, it will charge slower. Not higher than the car’s charging capacity.
DC Fast charge
Rapid DC chargers are using one of two different connectors that can be found in most fully-electric vehicles today. The Combined Charging System (CCS) and the direct current charging system that is known as CHAdeMO. This kind of charging station has a 50 kW power rate and can provide 80% of charge in as little as 30 minutes. Normally you will find these stations on motorways, service stations or big shopping malls.
EV Charging Power and Time
| Charger | AC*/DC* | Rated Power | 30kWh Battery | 60kWh Battery | 90kWh Battery |
| Schuko 16A | AC | 3.7kW | 8hrs | 16hrs | 24hrs |
| Schuko 32A | AC | 7.2kW | 4hrs | 8hrs | 12hrs |
| 1-phase 16A | AC | 3.6kW | 8hrs | 16hrs | 24hrs |
| 1-phase 32A | AC | 7.2kW | 4hrs | 8hrs | 12hrs |
| 3-phase 16A | AC | 11kW | 3hrs | 6hrs | 9hrs |
| 3-phase 32A | AC | 22kW | 1.5hrs | 3hrs | 4.5hrs |
| DC Fast charge | DC | 50kW | 40mins | 80mins | 120mins |
| Tesla Supercharger | DC | 120kW | 15mins | 30mins | 45mins |
The chart above shows approximately the time an EV will charge depends on the size of the battery and the source of power. Tesla Superchargers have an output power of 120 kW.
Finally, one of the best and most efficient ways to run an EV is a full charge at home in the night and a top-up throughout the day.
*AC – Alternative Current
*DC – Direct Current
EV Charging Stations for home, businesses or public places.
22nd August 2019