Electric Car Charging Times Explained

Electric cars have become a driving force in the automotive industry with most brands offering fully electric and hybrid options. As the number of drivers choosing electric cars increases, understanding how they work becomes crucial.

Learning more about electric car charging and how long it takes is essential so you can plan ahead day-to-day, and get the most from your EV. Whether you’re charging at home, whilst you’re at work, or topping up whilst travelling long distances, it helps to be familiar with the types of chargers you’re likely to see, and how long they take to charge your car.

A guide to electric car charging times

Calculating charging times for electric cars

Types of electric vehicle car chargers

What impacts electric car charging time?

When is the best time to charge an electric car?

Calculating charging times for electric cars

The time it takes to charge your electric car depends on several factors, including: the size of the battery, the power output of the charger, and other variables such as temperature. If you have an electric car with a small battery, it won’t take as long to charge fully. If you have a powerful charger, this will charge your battery more quickly.

There is a calculation you can use to help you work out how long it will take to charge your EV:

Battery size (kWh) ÷ Charger power (kW) = Charging time (hours)

For example, charging a 40 kWh battery using a 150kW charger could take under 30 minutes to charge to 80%. Whilst you can calculate this yourself, the manufacturer of your chosen electric vehicle will likely provide you with this information, so look out for this when choosing an EV to suit your requirements.

Types of electric vehicle car chargers

One of the primary differences between owning a fuel-powered car and an electric vehicle is the way your car operates. Whilst a petrol or diesel car needs to be topped up with fuel, your electric vehicle will require to be charged.

There are various types of chargers that you’ll come across as an electric vehicle owner, such as:

Home chargers (slow charging)

3kW - charging time from empty: 12 hours
You may choose to charge your electric vehicle at home when you’re not using it. Typically, your EV will come with a plug that allows you to charge from a standard home electric socket but this is a very slow option compared to other methods of charging. This type of home charger is generally only used occasionally.

7kW - charging time from empty: 6-8 hours

Many electric car owners choose to install an EV charger at home so they can charge their electric car more quickly, ready for when you need to use it next. The cost of installing one of these chargers will differ, but they can be installed quickly and easily. These chargers tend to be Type 2 AC chargers.

Fast chargers

22kW - charging time from empty: 3 hours

Fast chargers are found in public places like car parks, supermarkets, and service stations on motorway routes. These 22kW chargers tend to be used with AC charging, but it’s not uncommon to find these chargers installed with CCS or CHAdeMO connectors.

Rapid Chargers

50kW - charging time to 80% from empty: 40 minutes

Rapid chargers are found in public charging stations and on motorway routes, as they’re particularly useful when you’re making longer trips.

Rapid CCS fast chargers can top your electric car’s battery up to 80% in as little as 40 minutes so you don’t have to wait around. Because of the rapid nature of these chargers, charging will slow down when your battery reaches 80%. Whilst it will still charge fully, this is to ensure the longevity of your battery.

JDB电子 ATTO 3 can be charged at high speed., with a charging capacity of DC 88kW. The ATTO 3 can charge from 30% SOC to 80% in as little as 29 minutes. Swift charging means hassle-free journeys.

Ultra-rapid Chargers

350kW - charging time to 80% from empty: 20 minutes

This is one of the most advanced types of charging that has been developed to date. Whilst you may notice ultra-rapid chargers, an electric vehicle on the road today will rarely be able to charge at this capacity. However, this is likely to change as electric vehicle technology and infrastructure continues to evolve.

What impacts electric car charging time?

There are a range of factors that can have an impact on electric car charging time, and identifying them can help electric vehicle owners optimise their journey and overall charging experience:

Charging power

Charging stations with higher outputs direct more energy to the battery reducing the overall time it takes to charge. The charging power of an electric car is measured in kilowatts and determines how quickly an electric vehicle’s battery can be recharged.

Charging infrastructure

The type of charging infrastructure used also plays a crucial role in electric car charging times. AC chargers — used for public and home charging — typically provide slower charging times. High-power DC fast charging stations can reduce charging times and are commonly found at service stations for convenience when travelling long distances.

Battery capacity

The size of a vehicle’s battery directly affects the charging time of your electric car. Larger capacities require more energy to reach full charge, but it’s essential to keep in mind most cars are not charged from empty to full, but topped up as and when needed.

State of Charge

How full a battery is when you plug it into the charger affects charging time. Charging when your battery is low generally takes less time than charging from a nearly full battery. If you use a fast charger, this tends to slow down the charging process as the battery approaches capacity.

Charging efficiency

The efficiency of the charging process influences the actual energy delivered to the battery. Temperature, charging voltage, and how efficient your charging infrastructure is can have an impact on how effectively energy is transferred to the battery, and therefore the time your EV takes to charge.

When is the best time to charge an electric car?

The best time to charge an electric car depends on a few factors, such as your daily routine and charging infrastructure. Here are a few considerations to help you determine the best time to charge your electric car:

Daily routine

If you use your car every day to get from A to B, charging your car overnight is one of the best options. Not only does this mean your car will be ready to go when you need it, but energy can often be cheaper during off-peak times (such as through the night).

Charging infrastructure

If you’re relying on public charging infrastructure, you may want to choose an off-peak time to charge your car. This will allow you to avoid congestion and ensure you have access to a charging spot. You can find charging station maps online so you can plan ahead.

Battery management

Depending on the vehicle you choose, some allow you to schedule charging times to take advantage of off-peak rates. Check with your manufacturer to determine whether this is a feature you have access to.

Charging your electric car is simple — installing a charger at home means you can top up whenever you need to, and having access to more than 30,000 charging points across the UK means you can use public charging infrastructure when travelling. Electric car charging infrastructure and technology is constantly evolving meaning more drivers will continue to drive or switch to electric vehicles in the near future.