Electric car charging time depends on two key factors: the battery size (kWh) and the charger’s power output (kW). The higher the power output, the faster the charge. This guide breaks down home charging times and what EV owners can expect.
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How Fast Can You Charge an EV at Home?
To work out how fast you can charge your EV, use this simple formula:
EV battery capacity (kWh) ÷ Charger power output (kW) = Approximate charging time
For example, if you have a 60 kWh battery and a 7 kW home charger, charging from empty to full would take:
60 kWh ÷ 7 kW = Approximately 8.5 hours
Charging Times and Speeds
| Battery Size | Granny Charger | 7 kW Charger | 22 kW Charger | 50 kW Charger | 150 kW Charger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 kWh battery | 15-20 hours | 4-5 hours | 1-2 hours | 30-40 minutes | 12-16 minutes |
| 40 kWh battery | 20-27 hours | 5-7 hours | 2-3 hours | 40-50 minutes | 16-20 minutes |
| 50 kWh battery | 25-33 hours | 6-8 hours | 2-4 hours | 50-60 minutes | 20-24 minutes |
| 60 kWh battery | 30-40 hours | 8-10 hours | 3-5 hours | 60-70 minutes | 24-28 minutes |
| 70 kWh battery | 35-47 hours | 9-11 hours | 3-6 hours | 70-80 minutes | 28-32 minutes |
| 80 kWh battery | 40-53 hours | 10-13 hours | 4-7 hours | 80-90 minutes | 32-36 minutes |
| 90 kWh battery | 45-60 hours | 11-14 hours | 4-8 hours | 90-100 minutes | 36-40 minutes |
| 100 kWh battery | 50-67 hours | 13-16 hours | 5-9 hours | 100-110 minutes | 40-44 minutes |
| 110 kWh battery | 55-73 hours | 14-18 hours | 6-10 hours | 110-120 minutes | 44-48 minutes |
| 120 kWh battery | 56-74 hours | 14-18 hours | 6-10 hours | 120-131 minutes | 44-48 minute |
| 130 kWh battery | 57-75 hours | 14-18 hours | 7-11 hours | 131-140 minutes | 45-49 minutes |
| 140 kWh battery | 58-76 hours | 15-19 hours | 7-12 hours | 141-150 minutes | 45-49 minutes |
| 150 kWh battery | 60-78 hours | 15-19 hours | 7-12 hours | 151-160 minutes | 46-50 minutes |
*This table provides estimated average charging times based on the assumption of an average charging rate range, the battery size is divided by the charging power. How fast you can charge your EV will vary depending on the specific EV model and battery condition
EV batteries play a significant role in determining charging times. Here’s how EV batteries affect charging times:
- Your Home Charging Unit’s Power Output
The power output of home charging units can vary significantly. The standard chargers which plug into a regular household outlet, typically offer a power output of about 2.3 kW. More advanced home charging stations, which require professional installation, can provide power from 3.7 kW to 22 kW or more. Knowing the power output of your charging unit is essential for calculating charging time. - Battery Capacity
The capacity of an EV battery, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), directly impacts charging times and range (mi/kWh). Not surprisingly, a larger battery will take longer to charge than a smaller one, for example, a Nissan Leaf might have a 40 kWh battery, while a Tesla Model S might offer a 100 kWh battery. - Battery State of Charge (SOC)
The current state of charge of the battery will have an impact on charging times. Generally, EVs charge faster when the battery’s SOC is lower and slow down as it reaches higher charge levels. This is because the charging process often follows a non-linear charging curve, with charging speeds tapering off as the battery nears full capacity. - Battery Management System (BMS)
The BMS of an EV battery plays a crucial role in optimizing charging performance and ensuring battery health and safety. The BMS monitors various parameters such as temperature, voltage, and current during charging. It regulates the charging process, including adjusting the charging rate to protect the battery from overcharging, overheating, and other adverse conditions. - The temperature of an EV battery can have an impact on the speed at which a battery charges. The optimum temperature of an EV battery is between 20-40 degrees, anything outside of this range (either too hot or cold) will impact the speed of charge.
- The condition of an EV battery will deteriorate over time and this will impact the ability to charge.
Charging Your EV at Home with a Standard Plug
Charging an electric vehicle at home using a standard 3-pin plug is by far the slowest charging option available, even if you use the best granny charger available. The charging speed primarily depends on the power rating of the plug, which is typically around 2-3 kilowatts (kW). Here’s an estimation of the charging speed and time using a 3-pin plug:
- Charging Speed
A 3-pin plug typically provides a charging speed of around 2-3 kW. This translates to approximately 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging, depending on the specific EV model and its efficiency. - Charging Time
The charging time using a 3-pin plug can be significant, especially for larger battery sizes. For example, consider an EV with a 40 kWh battery: Assuming an average charging rate of 2-3 kW (based on a 3-pin plug), the charging time for a full charge would be around 20-27 hours.
Charging an EV with a 3-pin plug is often referred to as “trickle charging” due to the slower charging rate. While it is convenient for overnight or prolonged charging at home, it’s not great when you need to quickly charge the vehicle or when you have a larger battery size that requires faster charging.
Comparing Charging Costs at Home vs Public Charging
One of the biggest advantages of charging your EV at home is cost savings. Public charging networks, particularly rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, tend to have higher rates compared to charging at home, especially when using a smart EV tariff.
Cost Breakdown: Home vs Public Charging
| Charging Type | Average Cost per kWh | Full Charge Cost (60 kWh Battery) |
|---|---|---|
| Home Charging (Standard Tariff – 30p/kWh) | £0.30 | £18.00 |
| Home Charging (Off-Peak Smart Tariff – 9p/kWh) | £0.09 | £5.40 |
| Public 7kW Charger (Pod Point, GeniePoint, etc.) | £0.45 | £27.00 |
| Public Rapid Charger (50 kW) | £0.65 | £39.00 |
| Public Ultra-Rapid Charger (150 kW) | £0.85 | £51.00 |
💡 Key Takeaway:
- Charging at home is significantly cheaper, particularly when using an off-peak EV tariff.
- Public rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are useful for topping up but can cost 5-10x more per mile than charging at home overnight.
- Investing in a home charger and switching to a smart tariff can save you hundreds of pounds per year.
The Impact of Weather on Home Charging Efficiency
Temperature plays a crucial role in how quickly and efficiently your EV charges. Extremely cold or hot conditions can slow down charging speeds, reduce battery efficiency, and impact the overall charging process.
How Cold Weather Affects Charging
- Batteries operate best between 20-40°C.
- In winter, charging times can be 20-30% longer because cold temperatures slow down chemical reactions inside the battery.
- Preconditioning (warming the battery before charging) helps maintain efficiency.
How Hot Weather Affects Charging
- Excessive heat (above 40°C) can cause the Battery Management System (BMS) to reduce charging speed to prevent overheating.
- Parking in the shade or a garage can help keep the battery cool during summer months.
💡 Optimisation Tips:
✔️ Precondition your EV before charging in winter to warm the battery.
✔️ Charge during moderate temperatures (early morning or evening in hot weather).
✔️ Use a garage or carport to shield your vehicle from extreme cold or heat.
Understanding Your EV’s Onboard Charger Limitations
Even if you install a high-power home charger, your EV’s onboard charger ultimately determines how fast it can accept power.
What is an Onboard Charger?
- The onboard charger is a component inside your EV that converts AC power from a home charger into DC power for the battery.
- Different EVs have different AC charging limits, meaning they may not benefit from high-power chargers beyond a certain point.
Why Some EVs Won’t Benefit from a 22kW Charger
- Many EVs have single-phase onboard chargers limited to 7kW AC charging, even if plugged into a 22kW unit.
- Some models (e.g., Renault Zoe, some Teslas) support up to 22kW AC charging, making them suitable for three-phase home charging.
| EV Model | Maximum AC Charging Speed | Best Home Charger |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 11 kW | 7-11 kW |
| Nissan Leaf | 6.6 kW | 7 kW |
| BMW i4 | 11 kW | 7-11 kW |
| Renault Zoe | 22 kW | 22 kW (with 3-phase power) |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 11 kW | 7-11 kW |
💡 Before upgrading to a high-power home charger, check your EV’s maximum AC charging speed to ensure you can take full advantage of it.
How Home Charging Affects Your Electricity Bill & Grid Impact
How Much Will Home Charging Add to Your Electricity Bill?
The exact cost depends on:
✔️ Your EV’s battery size
✔️ How frequently you charge
✔️ If you have a dedicated EV Tariff
On average, a UK driver covering 10,000 miles per year in an EV (with 4 miles per kWh efficiency) will use about 2,500 kWh of electricity annually.
| Tariff Type | Cost per kWh | Annual Charging Cost (10,000 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Tariff (30p/kWh) | £0.30 | £750 |
| Off-Peak Smart Tariff (9p/kWh) | £0.09 | £225 |
By using an off-peak tariff, you could save over £500 per year compared to standard electricity rates.
Grid Impact & Demand on Local Supply
- A standard 7kW home charger uses about as much power as an electric shower when running.
- Widespread EV adoption is increasing grid demand, but smart charging solutions help balance usage.
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology (still emerging) could allow EVs to send electricity back to the grid during peak hours, stabilising demand.
💡 Smart Charging Benefits:
✔️ Reduces strain on the grid by charging during off-peak hours.
✔️ Saves money with time-of-use EV tariffs.
✔️ Future-proofs home charging for upcoming smart energy systems.
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John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
