EV charging times have gotten complicated with all the different charger levels, battery sizes, and manufacturer claims flying around. As an electrician who installs home charging systems throughout the Pacific Northwest, I learned everything there is to know about how long charging actually takes in real-world conditions. Today, I’ll share it all with you.
The Simple Math
Probably should have led with this section, honestly — charging time is just battery size divided by charging speed. A 60 kWh battery charging at 10 kW takes 6 hours. A 100 kWh battery at the same speed takes 10 hours. Bigger battery, longer charge.
But reality is more complicated because charging speed varies during the session, and you rarely charge from empty to full.
Charging Level Makes the Biggest Difference
Level 1 (Standard Outlet): 20-40+ Hours
At roughly 1.4 kW, a full charge takes forever. But if you only use 20-30 miles daily and can plug in for 12+ hours, it might be enough.
Level 2 (Home Installation): 4-12 Hours
That’s what makes Level 2 charging endearing to us — overnight charging handles typical daily driving easily. A 7.2 kW home charger adds about 25 miles per hour of charging. Plug in at 10 PM, fully charged by morning.
DC Fast Charging: 20-60 Minutes to 80%
Commercial fast chargers at 50-150+ kW dramatically reduce charging time. But charging slows above 80% to protect batteries, and these stations charge premium rates.
Factors That Slow Things Down
Cold weather reduces charging speed significantly. Very hot conditions trigger thermal management that also slows charging. Starting from very low charge or pushing to very high charge takes longer per kWh than mid-range charging.
What This Means for Home Installation
For most Northwest drivers, a 240V/40A circuit (32A actual charging) provides adequate home charging speed. Larger EVs with bigger batteries may benefit from higher-amperage installations if your panel has capacity.
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