How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
If you’ve never owned an electric vehicle (EV), the charging process will naturally raise a few questions. One of these will almost certainly be something along the lines of, “How long will it take me to charge my EV?”
The charging experience is becoming more standardized, but the exact time it takes to charge your EV will vary, as it’s dependent on several factors like battery capacity, whether the battery is already partially charged, charging level type, environment temperature, and more. Understanding these variables will become second nature to you, like having a rough idea of your car’s gas mileage and fuel tank capacity.
To help you better understand how long it takes to charge an EV, let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that can affect charging time and outline some charging time windows.
New to EV charging? Check out these other helpful guides: How to Charge an EV, Where Can I Charge My EV for Free?, EV Charging Levels, and How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car?
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Below is a chart that provides some estimated charging time windows as outlined by the U.S. Department of Transportation
EV CHARGING SPEED ON LEVEL 1, 2, DC FAST CHARGERS
| CHARGING LEVEL | POWER DELIVERY | RANGE ADDED PER HOUR | TIME TO CHARGE 60 kWh EV | TYPICAL LOCATIONS |
| Level 1 | 1 kW | 2 - 5 miles | 40 - 50 hours | Most homes, some workplaces |
| Level 2 | 7 kW - 19 kW | 10 - 20 miles | 4 - 10 hours | Homes equipped with a charging station, workplace charging stations, and public charging stations |
| DC fast charging | 50 kW - 350 kW | 180 - 240 miles | 20 minutes - 1 hour
1
| Strictly public use |
Keep in mind that the windows above would apply to a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which typically have smaller batteries than BEVs, won’t take as long to fully charge compared to BEVs. For example, PHEVs can usually be fully recharged overnight (five to six hours) using Level 1 charging or in just 1-2 hours using Level 2 charging. Most PHEVs aren’t designed to accommodate DC fast charging.
Factors that affect EV charging time
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A larger battery offers the convenience of a longer electric driving range, but a larger battery means that your vehicle will likely take longer to recharge, given all other variables are the same.
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The closer a battery is to empty, the longer it will take to completely recharge. No surprises there. However, you may want to keep in mind that some experts suggest keeping the battery charge level between 20-80%, which can help minimize charging times and reduce the wear and tear on the battery over time.
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Charging rates are measured in kilowatts (kW) and can range from as low as 1 kW (via Level 1 charging) to over 350 kW (via DC fast charging). The maximum charging rate of your vehicle is determined by its battery and internal charging system; a lower maximum charging rate caps the speed with which you can charge your vehicle compared to other EVs with higher maximum charging rates.
Even so, a charging station may not meet the maximum charging rate of a vehicle's battery. For example, if your vehicle is equipped for DC fast charging but you plug into a Level 2 charging station, you’re technically not charging your vehicle at its maximum vehicle charging rate, which can be seen as “slowing down” charging.
Less obvious is the fact that charging stations can experience variations in electrical supply that may limit a charging station's power. While improvements are in the works to make charging experiences more predictable, including the reliability of power supplied by the grid, you’ll want to keep the potential for this variability in mind.
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All cars, including EVs, thrive in a balanced environment. Extreme weather and environmental conditions can dramatically impact charging times, with high and low temperatures reducing battery efficiency over time. Knowing the weather conditions of the area you live in or are traveling to can help you prepare for correlated effects on your vehicle’s charging times and long-term battery health.
2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus with options shown throughout
EXPLORE THE MAZDA CX-90 and CX-70 PHEVs
Charging an electric car is a relatively simple process, but it still requires planning and awareness of the factors listed above. By understanding what can affect charging times, you can better plan your charging schedule and ensure the longevity of your vehicle’s battery.
An enticing blend of power, efficiency, and style, the CX-90 PHEV, a crossover SUV, is one of only a handful of larger PHEVs available in today’s market.
To learn more, visit a Mazda dealer or build your CX-90 or CX-70 PHEV online.
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