How long does it take to charge a car at a charging station?
Charging times vary widely based on charger type, the vehicle’s maximum charging rate, battery size, and temperature. In practice, DC fast charging can replenish most of a battery in about 20 to 40 minutes, Level 2 charging at public or home stations typically takes 1 to 3 hours, and Level 1 charging at a standard outlet can take several hours or more. The exact duration depends on the specifics of the car and the charger.
What affects charging time
A number of factors determine how long a charge takes once a vehicle is plugged in. The key elements are the type of charger, the car’s charging capabilities, the current state of charge, the battery temperature, and the charging curve that governs how quickly power is delivered as the battery fills.
Before you read about typical charging speeds, it helps to know the main categories of charging equipment and how they differ in delivering energy to the battery.
- Level 1 charging (120V AC, standard household outlet): Very slow, typically adding only a few miles of range per hour. Cars with Level 1 capability may require 30 hours or more for a full 60-75 kWh battery depending on the vehicle and outlet amperage. This method is mostly used for emergencies or long-term parking with no dedicated charging setup.
- Level 2 charging (240V AC, home or public charging stations): The common everyday option. Public Level 2 chargers usually range from about 7 kW to 22 kW, and home installations often deliver 3.3–11 kW. Time to a meaningful charge (often 80%) for a typical 40–75 kWh battery ranges from roughly 1.5 to 6 hours, depending on the power available and the car’s onboard charging limit.
- DC fast charging (DCFC, CCS/CHAdeMO/Tesla adapters): The quickest option for road trips. Chargers commonly run from about 50 kW up to 350 kW or more. Real-world times vary: many EVs reach 0–80% in 15–40 minutes on a high-power station, but charging from 80% to 100% slows considerably due to tapering. Vehicle capability matters; not all cars can accept the highest power levels.
In summary, the speed gap between these categories is the most visible factor for time at the pump. Level 1 is the slowest, Level 2 offers a practical middle ground, and DC fast charging is designed for rapid top-ups on longer trips.
Typical times by battery size and charger type
To illustrate typical expectations, here are rough ranges based on common battery sizes and charger capabilities. Actual times will vary with temperature, state of charge, and vehicle limits.
- Small battery (around 40 kWh):
- Level 2 at ~7–11 kW: roughly 4–8 hours to a full charge.
- DC fast charging at ~50–150 kW: about 20–40 minutes to 80%; 40–60 minutes to near full, depending on taper and vehicle acceptance.
- Level 1: can take 24+ hours for a full charge, making it impractical for frequent top-ups. - Mid-size battery (around 60–75 kWh):
- Level 2 at 11–22 kW: about 3–6 hours to full.
- DC fast charging at 50–150 kW: ~25–45 minutes to 80%; 45–90 minutes to reach 100%, with tapering.
- Level 1: several hours to days, generally not used for routine charging. - Large battery (100 kWh or more):
- Level 2 at 22 kW: roughly 4–8 hours to full.
- DC fast charging at 150–350 kW: 30–60 minutes to 80%; 60–120 minutes to full, depending on the vehicle’s limits and cooling requirements.
- Level 1: typically impractical for these sizes and not commonly used for daily charging.
Understanding these ranges helps set expectations for planning trips and daily use. The highest impact on speed is whether you’re using DC fast charging or a Level 2 charger, and whether your vehicle is capable of accepting high-power charging.
Summary
Charging time is not fixed. It depends on charger type, how much power the car can accept, the battery's size and temperature, and the charging curve. For most daily needs, Level 2 charging at home or on public networks provides a practical balance, while DC fast charging is best for rapid replenishment during longer trips. Always check your vehicle’s maximum charging rate and the charger's output to estimate real-world times accurately.
