How long do electric vehicles take to charge?

Charging time is one of the main challenges for electric vehicle (EV) buyers, along with driving range. The truth is, it takes longer to charge an electric vehicle than to fill up a conventional car with fuel. But there are ways to make charging easier and more convenient. Here are some tips to help you understand electric car charging.

1. Bigger batteries mean longer charging times

This is a simple equation. Cars that can travel farther on a single charge have larger batteries, and they take more time to charge than cars with smaller batteries.

2. Larger cars use more power

Larger electric cars tend to have bigger batteries, but they also weigh more and consume more electricity. This means that a smaller, lighter car can go further with the same amount of electricity.

3. The terms can be misleading

Be careful with the words used to describe charging. Fast, Rapid and Ultra-Rapid are common terms, but they don’t have a clear industry standard. They all refer to the speed at which a charger can deliver electricity to the car’s batteries.

4. 30 minutes can make a difference

A quick stop at a public charger can give you a significant boost in range. Many electric cars claim that you can charge them to 80 percent in 30 minutes, but this depends on the size of the battery and the power of the charger. A small EV could get another 100 miles of range in half an hour, for example.

5. You can relax at home

Home charging is not a race. Most electric cars can be fully charged overnight, using cheaper off-peak electricity and giving you a full range in the morning.

You probably won’t need to charge your car from empty every night, either. You will likely have some leftover range from the previous day, so your overnight charge will be more of a top-up than a full refill. That means that even cars with huge batteries, like the Audi E-tron 55, can get a decent amount of charge at home, although it could take 14 hours to charge it from empty.

6. Charging at work could be free

This is a great option for many people, as it allows you to top up your battery during the day, possibly using free electricity from your employer. Many workplaces have similar charging stations to those used at home.

7. Charging on the road is the hardest

This is where Tesla owners have an edge. Tesla cars have impressive battery range, and the company’s Supercharger network offers ‘the world’s fastest electric vehicle charging’. There are also Superchargers all over Europe, which makes long-distance travel possible.

For other electric car owners, it’s important to know what kind of charging you will find when you need a power boost. Many places offer a variety of charging options. You might see a Type 2 slow charger, a Type 2 fast charger, and a CCS rapid charger of maybe 50kW and 100kW.

This table shows you some approximate times, and what to expect when you charge your electric car in different situations. You can use a regular household socket (Slow), a home wall box or a public charger (Fast), or a high-powered charger on main roads and highways (Rapid and Ultra-Rapid).

Conclusion

Choosing the best home EV charger for your home depends on several factors, such as the type, speed, size, design, and features of the charger, as well as the compatibility, specifications, and preferences of your car and property. By comparing different models and brands of home EV chargers, you can find the one that suits your needs and budget. A home EV charger can make your life easier, cheaper, and greener by allowing you to charge your car at home in a fast and convenient way.

As you can see from above, an EV Electric Vehicle Charger is a smart, green, and cost-effective solution that allows you to charge your EV with surplus energy from your solar panels or wind turbine. It also has many other features that make it easy, convenient, and safe to use.