One of the most common questions about EVs is: how long does it take to charge an electric car?
The answer depends on the charger’s power, the car’s battery capacity, and the current charge level.
1. Key factors
Charging time depends on:
- Battery size (kWh)
- Charger power (kW)
- Type of current (AC or DC)
- Initial state of charge
The higher the charger’s power and the smaller the battery, the faster the process.
2. Charging at home
Home charging is the most convenient option:
- Standard socket (2.3 kW): 8–20 hours for a full charge.
- Wallbox (7.4 kW): 5–8 hours.
- Three-phase Wallbox (11–22 kW): 3–6 hours.
💡 Tip: Charging overnight using off-peak tariffs reduces costs and battery wear.
3. Public fast charging
Using DC fast chargers, charging times drop dramatically:
- 50 kW: ~1 hour to 80%.
- 100–150 kW: 25–40 minutes.
- 250 kW (ultra-fast): around 15–20 minutes to 80%.
However, each car has a maximum charging limit, so higher-power stations won’t always speed up the process.
4. Average times by vehicle type
Vehicle Type Battery Home (7 kW) Fast Charger (DC)
City car (e.g., Renault Twingo E-Tech) 22 kWh 3–4 h30 min
Compact (e.g., VW ID.3) 58 kWh 8 h35–40 min
SUV (e.g., Tesla Model Y) 75 kWh 10 h25–30 min
5. How to charge faster
- Use certified high-power chargers.
- Keep the charge between 20% and 80%.
- Plan trips with apps like Mobi.E or PlugShare to locate charging stations.
Tip: On moto.pt, you can explore electric cars for sale in Portugal and compare charging times and range.
