How long does it take to charge an electric car?

It can take from a couple of hours to more than a day to charge an EV, depending on the size of the battery, the charger being used, the car’s onboard charging capacity and how much charge is already in the battery.

That sounds more complicated than filling a petrol tank, but electric vehicle (EV) charging works a little differently.

For a start, EVs can be charged at more places. You can charge an EV at home, at shopping centres, sometimes at work, and at numerous other public places including (but not limited to) carparks, wineries, sports fields, and even train stations. Anywhere with a power point, really!

That is one of the biggest mindset shifts with EVs. A petrol or diesel car needs a service station. An EV can be charged anywhere there is suitable electrical supply, from a standard household wall socket to a dedicated home charger or a public DC fast charger.

At home, many EV drivers plug in overnight and start the next day with the range they need. On a road trip, a DC fast charger can add enough range for the next leg while the driver stops for coffee, food or a rest break.

Note, if charging at a public charger, please use EV etiquette and “check in” on Plugshare to let others know when you expect to return to the car.

How long does it take to charge an EV at home?

The time it takes to charge an EV at home depends mainly on three things: the charger output, the battery size and the car’s onboard AC charging limit.

A standard wall socket is the slowest option, but it can still be useful for low daily driving needs or occasional top-ups. A dedicated wall box is faster and better suited to regular home charging, particularly for larger EV batteries.

Calculating estimated charging time

The time it takes to charge an EV depends on battery capacity, charger output, the vehicle’s onboard charger and the current state of charge.

A simple estimate is:

Battery capacity ÷ charging power = charging time

Because some energy is lost during AC charging, it is useful to allow for about 10 per cent charging loss.

For example, an EV with a 39kWh battery using a 7kW wall charger would take approximately:

39kWh ÷ (7kW × 0.9) = 6.2 hours

That equates to about six hours and 12 minutes from empty to full.

In real life, most drivers do not charge from completely empty to full every day. Many simply top up overnight, or whenever solar production is strongest.

What affects EV charging speed?

Charging speed is not determined by the charger alone. A 22kW wall box will not necessarily charge every EV at 22kW, and a 350kW public fast charger will not make a car charge faster than the vehicle’s own limit.

The main factors are:

• Charging level and charger output: how fast the charger can charge the car
• Battery size: how much capacity in kWh there is to "fill"  
• Vehicle onboard AC charging capacity: how quickly the car can receive a charge 
• Battery state of charge: how "full" the battery is (the more full it is, the slower it charges) 
• Battery temperature: a battery that is too cold or too hot will charge more slowly
• Electrical architecture: relates to how fast the car can charge
• Cable and plug capacity: the top charge rate of the cable/plug

Once you understand these variables, estimating charging time becomes fairly straightforward. The car will usually show an estimated time remaining once it is plugged in, but it helps to know what to expect before you arrive.

Why your EV may not charge at the charger’s maximum rate

Every EV has its own maximum charge rate. For home and destination charging, this is limited by the vehicle’s onboard AC charger.

Some EVs can only accept 7kW on AC, even when plugged into a 22kW three-phase charger. Others can accept 11kW or 22kW AC charging, but only if the site and cable can supply it.

This is why it is worth checking your vehicle manual or specifications before installing a home charger. There is no point paying for a faster AC charging setup if the car cannot make use of it.

The same applies to DC fast charging. A public charger might be rated at 150kW or 350kW, but the car will only charge at the maximum rate it can safely accept.

Why does charging slows after 80 per cent?

EV batteries usually charge fastest when they are at a lower state of charge. As the battery fills, the vehicle’s battery management system reduces the charge rate to protect the cells.

A simple way to picture it is a cinema filling with people. When most seats are empty, it is easy to move quickly and find a spot. When the cinema is almost full, everyone slows down while they look for the remaining seats.

It is similar with a battery. As the state of charge rises, the car reduces the charging speed to manage heat, protect the battery and reduce degradation.

That is why DC fast charging from 10 to 80 per cent is usually much quicker than charging from 80 to 100 per cent. On a road trip, it is often faster to stop twice for shorter sessions than to sit on one charger waiting for the final 20 per cent.

As a matter of EV etiquette, it is also good practice to move on from a public DC fast charger once the car reaches around 80 per cent, unless the extra range is genuinely needed to reach the next stop.

How battery temperature affects charging

Battery temperature can also affect charging speed. Very cold or very hot conditions can reduce the rate at which an EV charges.

Many newer EVs have battery preconditioning, which warms or cools the battery before reaching a fast charger. This helps the car accept a higher charge rate and can reduce the time spent at the charger.

Preconditioning is particularly useful on longer drives, where the vehicle’s navigation system may automatically prepare the battery when a DC fast charger is entered as the destination.

How plugs and cables affect charging

Most new EVs sold in Australia use a Type 2 plug for AC charging and a CCS2 plug for DC fast charging.

For AC charging, the cable can also affect the charging rate. Some cables are single-phase, while others are three-phase. They also have different amperage ratings.

As a general guide:

Always check the cable rating and the vehicle manual before using a new charging cable or adaptor. Not every cable, outlet or vehicle is designed to handle the same power level.

What is the difference between AC and DC charging?

AC charging is what most EV drivers use at home. The electricity from the grid is alternating current, and the car’s onboard charger converts it to direct current for the battery.

DC fast charging does that conversion outside the car, inside the charging unit. This allows much higher charging rates, which is why DC fast chargers are used on highways and major travel routes.

For everyday use, AC charging is usually more convenient and often cheaper. For long-distance driving, DC charging is the faster option.

How EV electrical architecture affects charging speed

Some EVs use 400-volt electrical architecture, while others use higher-voltage systems such as 800 volts.

In general, higher-voltage architecture can support faster DC charging, provided the charger is also capable of delivering it. This is one reason some newer premium EVs can add range very quickly at ultra-rapid chargers.

That does not mean every driver needs an ultra-fast charging EV. For many households, the car spends most of its time parked at home, where a 7kW wall box can add plenty of range overnight.

What is the best way to charge an EV?

For most EV owners, the easiest approach is to charge at home most of the time and use public fast charging only when needed.

A standard wall socket can work for short commutes or occasional top-ups, but a dedicated wall box is usually the better long-term option. It is faster, safer, more convenient and can often be set up to charge when electricity is cheaper or when rooftop solar output is strongest.

On longer trips, the best approach is to plan charging stops around breaks and avoid charging beyond 80 per cent unless needed. This keeps the trip moving and frees up public fast chargers for other drivers.

The main thing to remember is that EV charging is less like filling a tank and more like charging a phone. You do not always need to start from empty, and you do not always need to get to 100 per cent. For most daily driving, regular top-ups are enough.