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How long does it take to charge an electric car?

01/03/22

So how long does it actually take to charge an electric car? Well, of course it depends, but there are estimates that can give you valuable direction. We hope you enjoy our run-through of the factors that influence how long it takes and find our estimates for different types of charging solutions.

Factors

The factors which mainly influence how long it takes to charge an electric car are; how large your EV battery is, what built-in charging capacity your EV has, as well as what kind of charging solution you have access to. Other factors that could influence are the outside temperature, as for instance cold could have a negative effect. To calculate the charging time you split kWh with kW, but don’t worry if that does not make any sense to you, below we show you estimates for common situations.

Overview

Wall socket

  • Smaller EV battery (30 kW/h) – 8 hours
  • Larger EV battery (60 kW/h) – 16 hours

Charging from a regular wall socket is only recommended in an emergency, as it not only takes longer to complete, but also could cause a fire or other problems related to the electric grid in the building.

Charging station with 11 kW (like Charge Amps Halo)

  • Smaller EV battery (30 kW/h) – 3 hours
  • Larger EV battery (60 kW/h) – 6 hours

This level of output often suits home users well, as home users often don’t mind if it takes a bit longer to charge it fully. It also allows for a more cost-effective charging session than using solutions with more output.

Charging station with 22 kW (like Charge Amps Aura)

  • Smaller EV battery (30 kW/h) – 1,5 hours
  • Larger EV battery (60 kW/h) – 3 hours

Currently the highest output for charging stations at home, enabling swifter charging of the EV battery. It suits users who extensively use their EV and do not have opportunities to charge it during the night.

Charging station with 50 kW (public charging stations)

  • Smaller EV battery (30 kW/h) – 40 minutes
  • Larger EV battery (60 kW/h) – 80 minutes

Fast chargers enable users to quickly charge the EV while on the road, but also costs more to use. Have in mind that it is standard practice to charge no more than 80 percent at public charging stations, partly in order to be gentle to the battery, but also in order to show consideration for those waiting in line to charge.

Consider this

For most users it is good enough to have your EV at home overnight charging at normal speed. This is also the most cost-effective option. But for some users with a more extensive need, a more powerful charger can help with its capacity to quickly charge your EV. This is also true for the public charging stations along the road, where charging needs to be quick in order to avoid queues. Please reach out to us if you need help selecting which charging station best fits your needs!

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