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How long does it take to charge an electric car?
11 Dec 2024 • 5 minutes
Electric Car Charging at Home: Complete Guide
31 May 2022|
5 minutes
As electric cars grow in popularity, understanding charging times is important for anyone who’s thinking of making the switch, or even for current owners planning their journeys.
In this guide, we’ll break down the factors that affect charging speed and explore how long it really takes to get your electric car back on the road. Whether you’re charging at home or on the go, we’ve got all the key information you need.
Table of contents
What factors affect the charging speed of an electric car?
There are several things that affect the charging speed of an electric car. The most common examples include:
- Battery size: Larger batteries will take longer to charge because they hold more energy, similar to how a bigger fuel tank will require more petrol to fill.
- Battery maximum capacity: Charging speed is often limited by the car’s maximum charging rate, meaning even a fast charger won't exceed what the battery can handle.
- The current state of charge of the car: Charging from a low battery percentage tends to be faster but as the battery fills up, the charging rate slows down to protect the battery.
- Type of charger used: Different chargers, from standard home chargers to fast-charging stations, deliver varying power levels which directly affect how quickly the battery charges.
- Temperature of the battery: Extreme temperatures, such as too hot or too cold can slow down charging speeds as batteries work best within a specific temperature range.
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Let’s take a look at the most common types of charging methods for electric cars and their typical charging speeds*.
How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?
Although this will depend on a number of factors like the size of the battery and type of charger used, on average it usually takes around 5 to 14 hours to charge an electric car at home. We’ve broken these figures down into a table.| How long does it take to charge an electric car at home? Our breakdown | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Car model | Battery size | Charger capacity | Charging time |
| Small EV (e.g. Nissan Leaf) | 40 kWh | 7 kWh | 5-6 hours |
| Mid-size EV (e.g. Tesla Model 3) | 60 kWh | 7 kWh | 8-9 hours |
| Large EV (e.g. Audi e-tron) | 95 kWh | 7 kWh | 13-14 hours |
The average size of an electric car battery is around 40 kWh, which will typically take 5-6 hours to charge when using a standard 7 kWh home charger.
How long does it take to charge an electric car in public?
Charging an electric car in public typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the charger’s power and your car’s battery size.
Public chargers come in a variety of power capacities, ranging from regular 7 kW units to fast and ultra-fast chargers providing up to 350 kW. Most electric cars have batteries ranging between 50 kWh and 100 kWh and the charging time will vary based on these factors.
We’ve already broken down the charging speed of slower 7 kW chargers above, so below we’ve broken down the charging times of faster chargers at public stations:
| How long does it take to charge an electric car at home? Our breakdown | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Car model | Battery size | Charger capacity | Charging time |
| Small EV (e.g. Nissan Leaf) | 40 kWh | 7 kWh | 5-6 hours |
| Mid-size EV (e.g. Tesla Model 3) | 60 kWh | 7 kWh | 8-9 hours |
| Large EV (e.g. Audi e-tron) | 95 kWh | 7 kWh | 13-14 hours |
Before you find a public charger you can look at places like Zapmap to see the charging capacity of publicly available chargers.
How long does it take to charge an electric car with a rapid charger?
Charging an electric car in public typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the charger’s power and your car’s battery size.| How long does it take to charge an electric car at home? Our breakdown | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Car model | Battery size | Charger capacity | Charging time |
| Small EV (e.g. Nissan Leaf) | 40 kWh | 7 kWh | 5-6 hours |
| Mid-size EV (e.g. Tesla Model 3) | 60 kWh | 7 kWh | 8-9 hours |
| Large EV (e.g. Audi e-tron) | 95 kWh | 7 kWh | 13-14 hours |
Common questions about electric car charging speeds
Why can't electric cars charge faster?
Electric cars can't charge faster due to the limitations of the battery and the need to prevent overheating, which can damage the battery. Charging slows down as the battery fills up to protect its lifespan, and both the car and charger have power limits.
While technology is improving, current systems prioritise battery health over faster charging.
How long can you drive an electric car before recharging?
How long you can drive an electric car before recharging depends on the car's battery size, driving conditions, and efficiency. On average, most electric cars have a range of 150 to 300 miles on a full charge.
Can you charge an electric car based on the distance you need to travel?
Yes, you can charge an electric car based on the distance you need to travel by estimating how much energy is required for the trip. Obviously, this won’t work for all distances but for most reasonable-length trips you should be able to charge your car enough before your journey.
How long do electric cars run on a full charge?
Typically, an electric car can go between 150 - 300 miles on a single full charge. This is around three to eight hours, depending on the capacity of your car’s battery.
Charge your electric cars efficiently with HomeServe
Make the switch to efficient, hassle-free EV charging at home with HomeServe, powered by BOXT. Our expert team is here to help you install an EV charger with transparent fixed prices and effortless installation services.
You’ll be able to charge your electric vehicle faster, more safely, and more conveniently. Enjoy seamless service from start to finish, ensuring your home is ready for the future of driving!
*Charging speeds calculated by dividing car battery size by charger capacity
About the author
After an early and varied career, including serving in the Falklands and also working as an active firefighter, Sam began his journey as an electrician in the 1990s as an apprentice with Bowdens Electrical contractors.Since becoming qualified in 1995, Sam has worked on a broad range of electrical repairs and installations, including caravan site supplies, wiring of new build houses, and response to out of hours calls. His experience extends to both domestic and commercial projects, including working on electrical installations in large businesses such as shopping centres, residential homes, street infrastructure and many others.
Since joining HomeServe in 2018, his role has changed from being ‘hands on’ to a more knowledge and research based position within the Technical Governance Team, ensuring the business operates in a way that meets, or surpasses, industry regulations and standards.
“I thoroughly enjoy working with HomeServe and almost every day brings a new challenge.”
He loves spending time with his bulldog Bert, sailing his yacht or walking in the countryside.
Institute of Engineering & Technology-technician member, Institute of Engineering & Technology member. Solar PV Systems installation & inspection, City & Guilds 2382, City & Guilds 2330, City & Guilds 2391, City & Guilds 2377, City & Guilds 2377-1, Tetra Working at Height, Tetra Restraint Equipment Inspection, Tetra Electrical Equipment Inspection, LCL Electric Vehicle Charging Systems, I.O.S.H. Management
Years qualified
Since 1995About the author
After an early and varied career, including serving in the Falklands and also working as an active firefighter, Sam began his journey as an electrician in the 1990s as an apprentice with Bowdens Electrical contractors.Since becoming qualified in 1995, Sam has worked on a broad range of electrical repairs and installations, including caravan site supplies, wiring of new build houses, and response to out of hours calls. His experience extends to both domestic and commercial projects, including working on electrical installations in large businesses such as shopping centres, residential homes, street infrastructure and many others.
Since joining HomeServe in 2018, his role has changed from being ‘hands on’ to a more knowledge and research based position within the Technical Governance Team, ensuring the business operates in a way that meets, or surpasses, industry regulations and standards.
“I thoroughly enjoy working with HomeServe and almost every day brings a new challenge.”
He loves spending time with his bulldog Bert, sailing his yacht or walking in the countryside.
Institute of Engineering & Technology-technician member, Institute of Engineering & Technology member. Solar PV Systems installation & inspection, City & Guilds 2382, City & Guilds 2330, City & Guilds 2391, City & Guilds 2377, City & Guilds 2377-1, Tetra Working at Height, Tetra Restraint Equipment Inspection, Tetra Electrical Equipment Inspection, LCL Electric Vehicle Charging Systems, I.O.S.H. Management
Years qualified
Since 1995Related Articles
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