How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Car?
Key Insights:
Charging time varies significantly based on your vehicle's battery size and the charger type - from 8-10 miles per hour with a standard home socket to 100+ miles in 15-20 minutes with ultra-rapid chargers.
Most EV owners find that a 7kW home wallbox charger (adding 30-40 miles of range per hour) meets their daily needs, allowing for convenient overnight charging.
Factors like battery temperature, state of charge, and your vehicle's charging capability significantly impact charging speeds, with most EVs charging fastest between 10-80%.
Planning ahead with charging network apps and preconditioning your battery before rapid charging can significantly improve your charging experience and efficiency.
Switching from a petrol or diesel car to an electric vehicle can be an adjustment. Rather than fighting a 'pay at pump' service in a petrol station, you are instead contending with charge points that operate at various charge speeds, different connector types, and multiple charging networks.
With the average UK driver covering approximately 7,400 miles per year, most electric cars have a range capable of getting you from A to B. Especially with the average range of your typical electric car being 300 miles. There are ways you can prolong the range of your battery and improve charging speeds. This blog will look at the top tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your electric car.
Charging Speeds You Can Expect
Understanding the different charging speeds available for electric vehicles is crucial for planning your daily routine and longer journeys. Charging speeds are typically measured in kilowatts (kW), with higher numbers meaning faster charging. The time it takes to charge your EV depends significantly on the type of charger you're using - from standard home sockets to ultra-rapid public chargers. Let's explore the four main charging speed categories and what you can expect from each:
Slow Charging (3-pin plug)
Power: ~2.3 kW (230 V, 10 A)
Adds roughly 8–10 miles of range per hour.
Charging a 60 kWh battery from empty can take over 25 hours.
Fast Charging (Home Wallbox or Public AC)
Most UK homes install 7 kW single-phase chargers (typical for houses).
Some homes or workplaces with a three-phase supply can use 11 kW chargers.
Adds about 30–40 miles (7 kW) or 50–60 miles (11 kW) of range per hour.
Charging a 60 kWh battery takes about 8 hours at 7 kW or 5 hours at 11 kW.
3. Rapid Charging (Public DC Chargers)
Commonly 50 kW chargers at public stations.
Adds around 100 miles of range in 30 minutes.
Charging from 10% to 80% typically takes 30–40 minutes.
4. Ultra-Rapid Charging
Chargers rated 150 kW and above are increasingly common on UK motorways.
Can add 100+ miles of range in 15–20 minutes.
Ideal for long-distance travel and quick top-ups.
Typical Charging Times For Popular EVs
| Vehicle | Battery Size (kWh) | 3-pin Plug (2.3 kW) | Fast Charger (50 kW) | Rapid DC Charger (50kW) | Ultra-Rapid (150kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VW ID.4 / ID.5 | 77 kWh | 33+ hours | ~ 40 mins (10-80%) | ~ 40 mins (10-80%) | ~ 20 mins (10-80%) |
| Nissan Leaf e+ | 62 kWh | 27 hours | ~ 35 mins (10-80%) | ~ 35 mins (10-80%) | ~ 20 mins (10-80%) |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range | 75 kWh | 33 hours | ~ 30 mins (10-80%) | ~ 30 mins (10-80%) | ~ 15 mins (10-80%) |
You can estimate your own charging time by dividing your battery size (in kWh) by the charging power (in kW) to calculate the approximate hours needed. However, this is just a basic estimate, as many factors affect actual charging speed.
Factors that impact charging speed
Vehicle Charging Capability
Maximum charge rate: Each EV has a capped power intake (e.g., 50 kW, 150 kW) regardless of charger capacity.
Onboard charger: AC charging speed depends on the vehicle’s internal converter (e.g., 7 kW vs. 11 kW for Level 2).
Battery size: Larger batteries (e.g., 100 kWh vs. 60 kWh) require more time to charge fully, even at high power.
State of Charge (SoC)
Low SoC (10-20%): Enables peak charging speeds, as batteries accept power faster when nearly empty.
High SoC (80%+): Charging slows significantly to protect battery health, often doubling the time for the final 20%.
Temperature Conditions
Battery temperature: Optimal charging occurs at 20–25°C. Cold batteries require preheating, reducing effective charging speed.
Ambient temperature: Charging in sub-zero or extreme heat can halve speeds due to thermal management demands.
Charging Infrastructure
Charger type:
Level 2 (7–22 kW): Adds ~25–70 km/h1
DC fast chargers (50–350 kW): Adds 100–300 km in 20–30 mins.
Shared infrastructure: Concurrent charging on the same power supply reduces individual speeds.
Battery Chemistry & Health
Lithium-ion limitations: High charge rates near full capacity risk degradation, necessitating speed reduction.
Aging batteries: Older batteries often charge slower due to reduced efficiency and conservative management.
Electrical System Design
400V vs. 800V architecture: 800V systems (e.g., Porsche Taycan) enable faster charging by reducing heat and energy loss.
Thermal management: Active cooling/heating systems improve consistency but may temporarily slow charging during extreme conditions.
Practical Implications
Fast-charging strategy: Charging to 80% is typically 2–3x faster than a full charge.
Preconditioning: Warming the battery via navigation-linked systems (e.g., Tesla) optimises rapid charging.
Top EV Charging Tips
Watch Your Electric Car’s Speed
Every time you accelerate your electric car demands more power from the battery, similarly to a petrol or diesel car; the more you accelerate, the more power you use. Therefore, the faster you drive, the quicker you will run out of charge. By driving only as fast as you need to, you can preserve energy and increase your battery life.
Consider Your EV’s Temperature Controls
A petrol or diesel car has an internal combustion engine, which heats the cabin of the vehicle in the colder months. This means you are less likely to need the temperature controls. An electric car does not have an internal combustion engine, so if you choose to use temperature controls, it will pull energy from the battery. By turning these sorts of controls off until they are necessary, you can prolong your EV’s range.
Thanks to the constant advancement in EV technology, some newer electric cars come with heat pumps, which can extend the range of an electric car battery. A heat pump uses evaporation and condensation to warm the cabin, reducing the need to turn the heating on in the cold weather.
Don’t Always Charge Your EV To 100%
Electric cars run on a lithium-ion battery that has a lifetime of around 10 to 15 years, but by charging your EV to around 80% instead of 100% unless you are planning a long journey, you can improve its health. The owner’s manual will have the optimal level of charge for your vehicle. If you are going away and have a home charger, leave your car plugged in but set it to a low charge to keep it healthy while not wearing it out.
Keep Your EV Protected From The Elements
If it is a very hot day, look for a shady spot to park your car. Electric car batteries are not a fan of extreme temperatures, so if it is stationary in extreme heat for a long time, they can overheat and lose their charge. It's the same with cold conditions like snow; putting your EV in the garage or under a car cover will protect the battery from being affected by the low temperatures.
Precondition Your EV
Certain conditions can help your car perform at its best, particularly when it comes to charging.
At the optimum temperature, electric motors will deliver at maximum performance but also charge more efficiently. For your battery to charge the fastest, you want the battery temperature between 16 to 26 degrees. At the right temperature and connected to a fast charger, you will see a maximum charging speed and maintain the range for longer.
Preconditioning depends on the car, but prepping your EV ensures you have faster charging times and prolongs the range. An effective way to precondition your vehicle is to program a charge station as a destination into the sat nav. The car will be prepared by heating or cooling the battery to allow for a faster charge upon arrival.
Use Rapid Charging Sparingly
Using rapid chargers is a great way to get back onto the road when you need a couple more bars to get you home. However, every time you use a fast charger, it takes a little bit off the battery’s life, particularly in extreme temperatures. So, trying to use a slow charger where possible will keep your EV happier in the long term.
Charge Overnight At Home
With a home charger, you can set it to charge overnight, but this is not only efficient and good for your EV battery, but it can also be cheaper with certain tariffs. With electric cars becoming more popular, energy providers have EV tariffs which offer lower rates for charging your EV at off-peak times.
Be Courteous at Public Charging Stations
When using public charging networks, following proper etiquette ensures everyone can access the chargers they need:
Only park in charging bays when actively charging - move your car once charging is complete.
Check the charging network app for real-time connector availability before arriving.
If you notice a charger isn't reliable or working properly, report it through the network's app or customer service.
Be mindful of charging time limits - some popular locations have a 1-hour maximum to ensure fair access.
Never unplug another car unless it shows it's completed charging,
Return the connector properly to its socket to prevent damage and keep it clean.
If you need to wait, establish a queue system with other drivers rather than hovering around occupied bays.
Consider leaving a contact number on your dashboard if you'll be away from your car while charging.
Following these simple guidelines helps create a positive experience for all EV drivers as we share the growing charging infrastructure.
Did you know that you can get a home charger included in your package with The Electric Car Scheme? The Electric Car Scheme is an electric car salary sacrifice scheme which supports a company in offering employees the opportunity to get a car at a more affordable cost.
Companies can lease the car on behalf of their employee; in exchange, the employee will ‘sacrifice’ some of their gross salary to cover the price of the lease. In addition to the car, if you have off-street parking, you can add a home charger to your package!
Last updated: 30.04.25
