How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car? Simple Explanation

How long does it take to charge an electric car? Source: edition.cnn

Key Takeaways

• Depending on the type of EV charger, different EVs require different charging times. Generally, there are three types of EV charging: Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Charging.
• Several factors, such as battery capacity, also affect the “how long does it take to charge an EV?” Scroll out to uncover three important ones.
• An electric vehicle's charging time might vary significantly. So, take a closer look at the estimated charging times for some popular electric vehicles.

1. 3 Types of Electric Vehicle Charging

When it comes to “how long does an electric car take to charge,” it is crucial to differentiate three types of electric vehicle charging.

1.1. Level 1 Charging

Charging your electric vehicle at home is convenient because it can be done overnight. You may charge your vehicle at home using a standard 240 v outlet in Australia120-volt outlet. It is known as Level 1 charging, and it is also the slowest way to charge an EV.

Despite its convenience, this charging technique provides just 10 to 12 kilometres3 to 5 miles of driving range each hour on 10 amp plug and 20-25km an hour on a 15amp plug. 

How long does it take to charge an electric car with level 1 charging?

 It may take you up to 40 60 hours to fully charge a 2024 Model 3 Highland from empty to 100%.Nissan Leaf.

1.2. Level 2 Charging

Level 2 charging works at an increased rate than Level 1. A 240-volt Tesla Wall charger is an example of this 5Amp outletas we know them in Australia and requires special fitting is necessary for this charging in residential settings. Level 2 charging is frequently used in commercial environments when a 15amp plug208-volt 3 phase supplyoutlet is essential and delivers approx 70-80 kilometers in an hour of charging.

This type of charging allows you to charge a completely electric vehicle from empty to 80% in approx 5 hours. 4 to 10 hours. 

A Level 2 charger can charge an electric vehicle 5 to 7 times quicker, and a plug-in hybrid up to 3 times faster than a Level 1 charger. As a result, you will be able to get the most out of your electric vehicle while reducing the number of charging sessions at public charging stations.

Types of electric vehicle charging. Source: swtchenergy

Level 2 charging at home willmay or may not require a wall box and there are many on the market. Examples include Zippi and Tesla Wall charger.You can install a wall box to speed up the charging process, making it faster than it would otherwise be.

 Level 2 charging is also accessible at some businesses and public charging stations. 

1.3. DC Fast Charging

A fast-charging station, sometimes referred to as a DCFC, DC Fast Chargers, or "level 3," is the quickest way to charge an electric car. The DC charger for electric vehicles charges the vehicle very quickly since it is powered by direct current. At the charging station, the DC charger converts the incoming AC into direct current.

Remember that not all EVs can charge using level 3 chargers. While most newer models support this type of charging, some older ones may not. This may depend ona lot of factors. Battery configuration, limits by manufacturer to manage the heat generated in fast chaging and, infrastructure at charging location, 

How long does it take to charge an electric car using this method? 

You may rechargefuel an all-electric car to 80% capacity in as little as 20 minutes or one hour. 

Charge speeds vary at DC chargers but private company, petrol company and government chargers operate at a speed of between 300 and 800 kilometers of charge in an hour of charging. 

Tesla being the fastest chargers and often limited to Tesla vehicles although this is changing as Tesla release the programming of these chargers to allow other brands to use them. 

Most plug-in hybrids are not designed to handle DC fast charging.

You can easily find some DC fast charging stations at supermarkets, movie theaters, shopping centres, and coffee shops. 

2. Factors Affecting Charging Times

2.1. Battery Capacity

The capacity of an EV's battery is commonly measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). It is a major factor influencing charging time. Larger batteries can store more power; therefore, they naturally take longer to charge than smaller ones. 

For example, an electric vehicle with a 30 kWh battery will charge quicker than one with a 100 kWh battery, provided all other factors are the same.

Factors affecting charging time. Source: kbb

2.2. State of Charge (SoC)

The state of charge (SoC) also affects “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” It displays how full it is in percentage, similar to a fuel gauge in internal combustion engine cars. 

When batteries are virtually empty and at a low SoC, they charge the fastest. The higher the SoC, the slower the charging speed. This is due to the charging process slowing down when the battery is near its full capacity to avoid overcharging and potential battery damage. 

It has been noticed that power decreases after around 90% AC charge and approximately 80% DC charging.

2.3. Temperature and Environmental Conditions

The weather significantly affects how long to charge electric car. Batteries and charging stations are less efficient in cooler temperatures, which can influence charging times.

For example, at 25°C, charging conditions are ideal. Yet, at 10°C, the process slows since the batteries need time to achieve a suitable temperature for charging.

Around 0°C, charging becomes noticeably slower. At temperatures of -5°C or below, chemical processes within the battery are severely hindered, thus limiting charging speed. This is especially true for older batteries, which may be more susceptible to temperature changes.

That is why several EVs feature thermal management systems to reduce these problems.

Temperature and environment conditions affect charging time. Source: auto.economictimes

3. Charging Times for Popular Electric Vehicles

How long do electric cars take to charge? Below is a table to help you estimate the empty-to-full time to charge some popular EVs:

Electric Vehicle	Charging Level	Charging Time	Unique Features
Tesla Model 3	DC Fast Charging	15 - 20 minutes	Access to Tesla's Supercharger network–widespread and fast.
Ford Mustang Mach-E	DC Fast Charging	About 38 minutes	Excellent fast charging curve and holds charge well above 80%.
Chevrolet Bolt EV	Level 2	8 - 10 hours	The plug needs to be professionally installed by an electrician.
Nissan Leaf	Level 2	7.5 – 11 hours	The charging time varies based on your battery capacity.
Porsche Taycan	DC Fast Charging	22.5 minutes	You can access Porsche Charging Services via your Porsche Connect app to find a charging station near you.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

4.1. Should you charge your EV every day?

Recharging your battery daily is not recommended. Constantly charging your EV reduces the battery's lifetime. The best bet would be to follow the battery charging instructions outlined in the car's user handbook.

4.2. Is it OK to leave EV plugged in overnight?

Yes, it is safe to leave an EV plugged in overnight. EVs are equipped with advanced charging systems that automatically stop charging when the battery is full, minimising overcharging. This enables a complete charge by the time you're ready to go, resulting in maximum range. 

4.3. Should you charge my EV to 80% or 90%?

For normal use, you should charge your electric vehicle (EV) to 80-90%. Doing so helps protect the battery's long-term health by decreasing the stress of sustaining a full charge for a long period. Most EV manufacturers advise against charging to 100% frequently unless you need the extra range for a longer drive.