How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Vehicle (EV)?
As the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow, one question on many drivers' minds is: how long does it take to charge an electric car? The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on several factors such as EV charger level, battery size and state of charge, and external factors.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Car With a Level 1 Charger?
Level 1 charging is the most basic form of electric car charging, and it uses a standard 120-volt household outlet. This charging option is typically only used for emergencies or occasional top-ups, as it is the slowest charging option available. With a Level 1 charger, it can take up to 40 hours, if you’re charging from empty, to fully charge an electric car with a range of 200 miles.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Car With a Level 2 Charger?
Level 2 charging is the most common type of charging for electric cars. It uses a 240-volt charging station that can be installed at home or in public charging stations. The charging time for Level 2 charging depends on the electric car's battery size, the charger's power output, and the amount of charge left in the battery when the charging process starts. On average, it takes about 4 to 8 hours to fully charge an electric car with a range of 200 miles using a Level 2 charger. However, some newer electric cars with larger battery packs can take longer to charge fully.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Car With a DC Fast Charger?
DC fast charging is the fastest charging option available for electric cars, but it is also the most expensive. This type of charging uses direct current (DC) to charge the battery, which allows for much faster charging times than Level 1 or Level 2 charging.
DC fast charging can charge an electric car up to 80% of its battery capacity in as little as 30 minutes - 1 hour. However, it's worth noting that charging times can vary based on the make and model of the electric car, as well as the charging station's power output. It is also important to keep in mind that while DC fast chargers are the fastest, they are the most difficult to find due to their high cost of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and costly installation.
Factors That Affect Charging Speed
Several factors can affect how long it takes to charge an electric car, including:
Battery Capacity: The larger the battery's capacity, the faster charging speeds it will be able to accept.
For example, a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt has a battery capacity of 55 kWh, but a 2023 Tesla Model S has a capacity of 126 kWh.
Charging station power output: The higher the power output of the charging station, the faster the charging time.
Keep in mind that your vehicle will only be able to accept fast charges within its’ battery capacity.
Current battery charge level: It takes longer to charge a battery from 80% to 100% than it does to charge from 20% - 80%
It is recommended that you do not use DC fast charging past 80% and to never let your EV’s battery drop below 20% to maintain the health of the vehicle’s battery.
Temperature: Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can affect the charging speed and efficiency.
Parking your electric car in the shade during hot sunny days or parking in a covered/garage spot during cold and snowy weather can help extend battery life in extreme weather.
Mobile EV Charging Solutions
Companies like SparkCharge strive to make EV charging easier and faster by creating a mobile DC fast charger, The Roadie. The Roadie Portable is a modular, small, and fast unit that is stacked to tailor the amount of range delivered. This unit charges at a rate of a mile a minute and is designed to give your EV the range it needs to get to your destination or nearest charging station. The Roadie Portable is available for purchase only by registered businesses to be able to provide EV charging services to their vehicles and customers.
The Roadie v3 is bigger, faster, and more convenient for EV owners. The v3 is used to power SparkCharge’s EV charging delivery services SparkCharge Fleet, SparkCharge OOC, and SparkCharge Mobile, and can charge a vehicle up to 80% in as little as 30 minutes, depending on the vehicle. SparkCharge Fleet and OOC are services designed for businesses to charge centralized and decentralized fleets without losing time, space, or money to EV charging station installation.
Get Started with Mobile Charging
SparkCharge Mobile is an EV charging delivery service for EV owners to order charges right from their smartphones. SparkCharge Mobile is available for iOS and Android in Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA.
In conclusion, the amount of time it takes to charge an electric car depends on several factors, including the type of charging option, the battery size, and the charging station's power output. Level 1 charging is the slowest option, while DC fast charging is the fastest but also the most expensive. For most drivers, Level 2 charging is the most practical option, as it offers a good balance between charging speed and cost.