Charging your EV may be easier than you think.
How long does it take to charge an EV? Here’s a complete guide.
How long does it take to charge an electric car? Breaking down the numbers.
- Electric vehicle charging technology has come a long way in the past five years.
- With a Level 3 charger, you can have your car back on the road within 20 minutes.
- Developing a charging plan and knowledge of the types of charging sessions your lifestyle requires are essential to EV ownership.
Some of the world’s largest automakers, including Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW, and others, are producing competitive electric vehicles. Some best-selling EVs, like the Tesla Model Y, outperform even popular gas-powered cars.
Owning an EV isn’t always an easy transition, but thousands of drivers have made the switch from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles this year. If you’re considering an electric vehicle for your new daily driver, one of the most important factors is charging time.
If you’re considering switching to an electric vehicle, here’s what you need to know about EV charging times.
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Charging speed depends on the size of your vehicle’s battery and the wattage of the charger you’re using.
First, it’s important to understand the different types of electric vehicles.
- Battery electric vehicle (BEV): A vehicle that runs solely on electricity and is propelled by a battery-powered electric motor. Charged from an external power source.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV): Although it is a battery-powered vehicle that can be charged from an external power source, it also has a small internal combustion engine that can charge the battery. It uses only batteries to travel a reasonable distance, but can also run on gasoline in certain driving conditions or when electricity is not available.
- Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV): A vehicle that runs on a combination of an internal combustion engine and a battery pack that cannot be recharged externally.
- Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV): A vehicle that converts hydrogen into electricity to drive an electric motor. It uses compressed hydrogen gas stored in the vehicle’s tank, rather than being recharged from an external power source.
BEVs and PHEVs are two types of electric vehicles that can be charged from an external power source, either at home, at work, or at a public charging station.
There are three charging speeds for electric cars.
- Level 1: 1.2 to 2.4 kilowatts, typically found in residential homes.
- Level 2: 3.6 to 19.2 kilowatts, commonly used for home, work, or public charging
- Level 3 Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC): Fastest charging speeds typically found at stations along highway corridors, 50 to 350 kilowatts
A Level 3 charger can charge an electric vehicle battery up to 80% in 20 minutes to an hour. DCFC chargers slow down when the battery approaches 100% to prevent damage, so drivers are advised to continue driving when the battery reaches 80%.
Level 1 devices can fully charge a BEV from zero in about 30 to 70 hours and a PHEV in about 8 to 14 hours. This is the slowest and most inconvenient charging method for drivers. Overnight charging is best to replenish a small amount of the total percentage of the battery.
A full charge using Level 2 equipment takes approximately 4 to 12 hours for BEVs and 2 to 5 hours for PHEVs. Level 2 chargers are currently the most common and accessible type of charger for EV drivers. Companies like ChargePoint, Tesla, and others sell Level 2 home chargers that make charging more convenient. Additionally, some automakers offer free charging adapters to encourage new EV purchases.
