How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

With so many new models on the market, it’s easy to make an eco-friendly upgrade. If you’ve compared hybrid vs. electric cars and decided that an EV is for you, you likely have lots of questions. One we often hear from prospective EV buyers is, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” 

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to electric car charging times. That’s because there are different types of batteries, plugs, ports, and charger types that alter EV charging times. That said, Serra Traverse City is here to help you get a sense of what to expect from EV ownership in our research guide below. 

What are My Electric Car Charging Options?

1. Domestic Outlet Home Charging (Regular Outlet): The simplest charging option uses a normal grounded (three-prong) 110V/120V charging outlet (Level 1 Charging) but doesn’t offer the fastest charging speeds. However, this is a great method for topping off your battery overnight. Level 1 charging generally takes at least 24 hours to complete.
2. Installed Brand-Approved Domestic Charging: A Level 2 charger is a faster-paced domestic charging option. These systems use rapid (usually 240V+) chargers that offer much quicker charging times. With a Level 2 charger, you can power up your EV in just a few hours. Some models even offer up to 80% charge capacity in under an hour using this method!
3. Public Charging: While out and about traveling around Bellaire, you’ll likely encounter public charging stations at malls, stores, parking garages, and even gas stations. Public charging options vary in speed but usually provide Level 2 charging capabilities. Some even offer rapid DC fast charging to provide major charging in just minutes!

Typical Domestic Charging Electric Car Charging Time

If you want to charge your EV at home, you’ll generally have access to Level 1 or Level 2 charging speeds. Here’s what you can expect:

• Level 1 EV charging will likely take a day or more to fully charge a vehicle. 
• Level 2 EV charging usually takes several hours to complete a charge cycle. 
• Level 3 EV charging stations are more typically found in public spaces. These chargers can fully power an EV battery in an hour or less.

Typical Public Charging Electric Car Charging Time

Most at-home charging setups deliver 3.7 kW or 7 kW charging. In public, you can find 22 kW charging, 43-50 kW rapid charging, and 150 kW rapid charging. With such power variety, you can expect different charging times. That said, the fastest options will power your vehicle in under an hour, while others may take up to 11 hours or more. 

Learn More About EV Charging Times Today!

Now that you can answer, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” you can take on EV ownership without breaking a sweat. If you have lingering questions about EV charging times, get in touch with our team. We can help you find local charging stations or get you set up with an at-home charging unit installation to ensure that charging your EV is simple. Improve your commute from Kalkaska to Lake City with an incredible new EV today!