The introduction of electric cars in an attempt to cut down the burning of fossil fuel is a major human-induced cause of global warming through greenhouse gas emissions. However, the EV industry is faced with the challenge of how to constantly power the vehicle.
So, the big question has been, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” Another regular question that most people ask is, “How much does it cost to charge an electric car?”
These are technical questions that cannot be given straightforward answers to, as there are factors to be considered when ascertaining how long it takes to charge an EV.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Car?
It takes at least 15 – 30 minutes to charge an electric car. The charging time can also be extended to as much as 12 hours or more depending on two factors; the electric car’s battery capacity and the voltage of the charger or charging outlet (charging point).
The EV Battery Capacity
The size of an electric car is a significant factor that must be considered to determine the time frame to charge the vehicle. A typical EV with a 60-kWh battery capacity takes around 8 hours (or less) to charge from empty to full.
Obviously, it will take longer to charge an electric car with a larger battery capacity from empty to full. It is also vital to note the level of the battery to be charged, as a partially charged battery will charge fully before a completely empty battery.
The EV Charging Point
The charging point is another major factor to consider when determining the duration of charging an electric car. While it takes 8 hours or less to charge a 60-kWh battery capacity from empty to full, it is essential to note that you need a charging point with at least 7kW.
If you are asking, “How long does it take to charge an electric car in UK?” The region may not matter so much compared to the factors outlined above. So, irrespective of your region, you must consider the EV’s battery capacity and the charging capacity (speed) of the charging point.
Also, it is vital to note the interval required for charging your electric car to avoid completely exhausting your EV’s battery life so that you don’t become stranded somewhere you cannot get a recharge.
Hence, some people ask, “How far can an electric car go on one charge?” Most electric cars can go as much as 250 miles on a charge; while, Tesla cars have a record of going up to 350 miles after a complete charge.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to charge an electric car at a charging station?
Charging an electric car can take 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the car’s battery size and the charging point where the vehicle is being charged.
Electric cars with small battery capacity can be charged within a short period and the vehicles with larger battery capacities will take longer.
So, if you are asking, “How long does it take to charge an electric car at Walmart?” Consider these factors to determine the expected time frame:
- Battery size.
- Fullness or level of the emptiness of the battery.
- The electric car’s maximum charging rate.
- The charging point maximum charging rate.
Q: How much does it cost to charge an electric car at a charging station US?
And when you seek the answer to “How much does it cost to charge an electric car at a public charging station in the US?” It is vital to note that the cost of electricity varies from one region to another; hence, the discrepancies in the cost of charging an electric vehicle.
However, the average cost of charging an electric car in California is around 18 cents per kWh (kilowatt-hour).
In that case, charging the Nissan LEAF that comes with a battery capacity of 40-kWh will cost around $7.2 for a full charge. If you drive an electric car, it is essential to find out the battery capacity to determine the cost of fully charging the EV.
If you live around California, you may want to multiply the EV’s battery capacity by 18 cents to get the total cost of charging your electric vehicle.
Q: How fast can electric cars charge?
Electric cars can charge as fast as 15 minutes and overnight in some cases, depending on the EV’s charger or outlet’s voltage and the battery capacity.
Smaller batteries coupled with high charger or outlet voltage will charge faster; In contrast, larger batteries connected to a charger or outlet with relatively low voltage will take longer to charge fully.
As said already, to determine the duration of an electric car to get fully charged, find out the battery capacity, as well as the voltage of the EV charger or outlet to be used.
While the time frame for charging an electric car differs, some electric cars are designed to charge faster than others. Lucid Air ranks as the fastest charging electric car with about 20 miles per minute.
Q: Do electric cars charge while driving?
The present technology in electric cars is not designed to power the cars indefinitely, just like the battery of a regular fuel-powered vehicle charges while on the road. Electric vehicles are designed to be recharged once the battery runs low merely to let the car run.
For now, all EVs including; electric cars, electric trucks, etc., do not charge while driving on the road because such technology has not been incorporated into the vehicle’s make-up. However, manufacturers are making plans to enable electric cars to charge while on the road.
Manufacturers plan to work out an inductive charging system in electric cars so that alternating current can generate a magnetic field in a charging plate. Thereby, it will induce the current into the car to enable it to run without its battery draining.
If you are wondering, “How long does an electric car battery last?” They are designed to stay up to around 10 – 20 years before a replacement is required.
Q: Can you plug an electric car into a regular outlet?
Yes, all mass-produced EVs come with a charging unit that enables you to plug the car into a regular 110V standard outlet. The charging unit enables an electric car owner to charge the vehicle from any regular household outlet.
However, the drawback in this design that lets EV owners charge the vehicle in a regular 110V standard outlet is that the charging takes more time compared to the normal charging system. In that case, charging an electric vehicle may take the whole day, especially if it has a large battery.
Q: Do electric cars increase your electric bill?
Of course, electric cars increase electric bills as you constantly need to charge your EV to keep it running. Electrical appliances are responsible for the electric bill every household incurs regularly.
Using an electric car requires constant charging to keep it running; that means the total household electric bill will multiply to match the amount of electricity consumed by the electric vehicle over time.
So, if you are contemplating buying an electric car or an electric pickup, ensure to critically analyze the financial implication involved in keeping the vehicle running when needed.
Q: How much does a Tesla raise your electric bill?
Charging an electric vehicle from Tesla also requires identifying the battery capacity, the maximum charge level of the EV, as well as the charging point’s maximum charging level.
It costs around $15.29 to charge the Tesla Model X completely. That means the charging costs around 4.5 cents per mile. Meanwhile, charging a Tesla Model 3 will cost about $7.65 for a complete charge.
If you drive one of the Tesla Models outlined above, take note of how much it costs to charge them to full capacity. If you drive any other electric vehicle, you may have to look through the manufacturer’s manual to know how long the charging takes and multiply the time frame with the average cost of charging an electric car in your region.
Q: What happens if my electric car runs out of power?
If your electric car runs out of power, it will stop working until you recharge the battery. This is the same with a fuel-powered vehicle running out of gas; the engine stops running immediately after showing some signs.
In the case of a gasoline engine, you can hurriedly get a can of gas to buy some fuel to refill the vehicle’s tank and start the engine again. Quite contrary, this is not so for electric cars because they are designed to be charged at designated charging points.
Therefore, if your electric car runs out of power, you will need to tow it to the nearest designated charging point to recharge the battery to work again. However, understanding the interval to recharge your EV’s battery will help overcome this challenge.
Final Words
If you were asking, “how long does it take to charge an electric car?” It is vital to note that two significant factors must be considered in an attempt to ascertain the exact time frame. The factors include the electric car’s battery capacity and the voltage of the EV charger or outlet to be used.
Once those two factors are known, it will be easy to determine how long you should wait until your electric car is fully charged. So, while some EVs may take up to half a day to charge fully, others may take between 15 to 30 minutes, still depending on those two factors.
