How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Vehicle?
Whether you own an electric vehicle (EV) or just starting to consider transitioning to the more sustainable EVs, one of the most important questions to ask is how long does it take to charge an electric vehicle.
Our time is even more precious with most of us juggling work and family life, so if electric cars are the modern face of innovative transportation, would that save us time or just the opposite? And will it be even worth the wait?
Here we answer the most integral question being asked about EVs: how long does it really take to charge electric cars and what are the factors that will affect recharging times?
Charging an Electric Vehicle (EV)
The amount of time you will need to charge an electric car depends on your vehicle’s battery capacity (measured in kilowatt-hours) and the power output of the charging outlet you will use. Hence, the bigger the EV battery, the longer it will take to recharge and the more powerful the charger, the faster the flow of electricity.
For instance, a standard electric car with a battery capacity of 70kWh needs as much as 10 hours to fully recharge using a 7kW charging point. If that’s not good enough for you, ultra-rapid DC chargers that can deliver up to 350kW of charging power are now available, letting you replenish your EV’s battery in as little as 30 minutes.
How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge an EV?
Depends on the type of EV charger you’re using. We explain below:
Level 1 Charger: The cheapest charging alternative with no installation required and using a 240V outlet, Level 1 chargers are typically included when you purchase an EV. When used for recharging your car, it provides around 12 km of range per charging hour.
A full charge can take anywhere from 12 to 20 hours depending on the EV and battery size. Because of its slow charging time, a Level 1 charger is not ideal for long-distance trips.
Level 2 Charger: Level 2 chargers like the Tesla Wall Connector provide faster charging times than Level 1. These are also the type of chargers installed at homes, shopping centres, offices, and public charging stations.
With this said, Level 2 chargers require installation by a trained and licensed professional. They offer charging speeds ranging from 7.2kW to 22kW, adding up to 120 km of range per hour. Charging times for a full charge range from 4 to 10 hours.
DC Fast Charger: The fastest charging option, DC Fast Chargers are available at public charging stations and deliver remarkable fast charging, adding up to 200 km of range in as little as 30 minutes, depending on the charger used and EV compatibility.
While the quick turnaround is awesome, using a rapid charger all the time can shorten your battery’s lifespan.
What is Destination Charging?
The growing popularity of electric vehicles has brought about the term “destination charging”, which refers to the charging infrastructure available at attraction sites and several other locations like supermarkets, restaurants, and many other places. Most electric car drivers take advantage of destination charging when on the road, allowing them to do top up charging.
The charging stations you’ll find across Australia normally deliver a charging speed of either 7kW to 22kW. EV drivers who have top-quality EV chargers installed at home can also easily charge overnight, meaning they don’t even have to experience range anxiety at all.
What is EV Range?
Speaking of range, what is it exactly? It refers to the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single full charge of its battery. By knowing your EV’s range, you can gauge your car’s practicality and performance for various types of driving, whether it be for a daily commute or a lengthy road trip. For instance, the Tesla Model S can provide up to 600 km range.
What Factors Affect Charging Speed?
There are five key factors that will definitely impact your EV’s recharging times, namely:
- Battery size: As previously mentioned, the bigger your car’s battery capacity, the longer it will take to charge.
- State of Charge (SOC): If you’re charging from empty, it will take longer to charge than if you’re already at 50%. It’s also worth noting that DC fast charging isn’t ideal when your SOC is above 80%.
- Maximum charging rate: Every EV has a maximum charge rate so if your vehicle’s max charge rate is 7kW, it won’t be any quicker even if you use a faster 22kW charging outlet.
- Maximum charging rate of charger: Reiterating the explanation above, EV chargers also have their respective maximum charging rates. Regardless of your vehicle’s charging capacity, it will only charge as per the chargepoint’s max rate.
- Extreme temperatures: Harsh weather conditions have a significant impact on your battery’s performance, affecting the charging process.
The Best EV Chargers in Australia
The amount of time it takes to charge an electric vehicle depends on a number of factors, with charging times going as fast as 30 minutes with DC charging or as long as 20 hours with a portable charger.
However, what’s clear is that having an EV charger installed at your home can make your life easier, giving you flexibility on your charging schedule. There’s also the unrivalled perk of convenience since you won’t rely on public charging stations as much, saving you money in the long run.
For EV charger installation, we provide the best EV chargers in the market, including the Tesla Wall Connector, Zappi, Fronius Wattpilot, and GoodWe EV charger.
Call us now at 1300 865 832 or request a free quote online if you need an EV charger installed at your property.
