How long does it take to charge an electric car?

Charging time depends on battery size and charger speed. A Level 2 home charger (7.7 kW) takes roughly 8–12 hours for a full charge on a 60–100 kWh battery. A DC fast charger (50–350 kW) can reach 80% in 20–60 minutes. Use the EV Charging Calculator above to get an exact estimate for your vehicle and charger.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

At the US average of ~16 cents per kWh, charging a 77 kWh EV from 20% to 80% costs approximately $7.40. In the UK at ~34p/kWh the same charge is around £15.70. Enter your actual electricity rate in the calculator to get a precise cost for your situation.

Why should you only charge an EV to 80%?

Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster above 80% because charging slows and heat increases in the top 20% of capacity. Most EV manufacturers recommend daily charging between 20% and 80% to maximise battery lifespan. Reserve 100% charges for long trips. This calculator defaults to a 20%→80% range for exactly this reason.

How do I calculate EV charging time?

EV charging time = (Battery capacity in kWh × charge needed %) ÷ charger power in kW. Example: a 77 kWh battery charged from 20% to 80% (46.2 kWh needed) on an 11 kW charger takes 46.2 ÷ 11 = 4.2 hours. The calculator on this page handles this automatically for any EV model and charger.

What is the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging?

Level 1 (1.4–1.9 kW): standard 120 V household outlet — slowest but works anywhere. Level 2 (7–22 kW): dedicated 240 V charger — best for home and workplace. DC Fast Charging (50–350 kW): commercial stations such as Tesla Supercharger and CCS — best for long-distance travel, charges to 80% in 20–60 minutes.

Does cold weather affect EV charging speed?

Yes. At 20 °F (−7 °C) charging can take up to 36% longer and range can drop 20–40%. Cold increases battery resistance and activates thermal management that limits charge rate to protect the cells. Pre-conditioning the battery while still plugged in minimises this effect.

Free EV Charging Calculator — Time & Cost Estimator