Charging Time Calculator

Estimate how long it takes to charge your EV.

Switching to an electric vehicle (EV) is exciting, but one of the first questions drivers often ask is: “How long will it take to charge my car?” That’s where an EV charging time calculator comes in.

This tool helps you estimate how much energy your battery needs and how long charging will take, based on your battery size, current charge, target charge, and charging power. Whether you’re planning a long road trip or just want to know how long your EV will take to charge overnight, an EV charging time calculator makes it simple.

What is an EV Charging Time Calculator?

An EV charging time calculator is an online tool that estimates the charging duration of your electric vehicle. It uses four main inputs:

1. Battery Capacity (kWh) – The size of your EV’s battery (e.g., 40 kWh, 60 kWh, 100 kWh).
2. Current Charge (%) – Your battery’s present state of charge (SoC).
3. Target Charge (%) – How much you want your battery charged (e.g., 80% for daily use, 100% for long trips).
4. Charging Power (kW) – The speed of the charger you’re using (home charger, workplace charger, or DC fast charger).

The calculator then estimates how much energy (kWh) is required and how long it will take based on your charger’s speed and real-world charging efficiency.

How Does It Work?

Let’s break it down with a simple formula:

Charging Time (hours) = (Battery Capacity × (Target % – Current %)) ÷ (Charger Power × Efficiency)

• Efficiency is usually around 90%, because some energy is lost as heat during charging.
• For example:
  • Battery: 60 kWh
  • Current: 20%
  • Target: 80%
  • Charger: 7 kW home charger
  Energy needed = 60 × (80-20) / 100 = 36 kWh
  Adjusted energy (90% efficiency) ≈ 40 kWh
  Time = 40 ÷ 7 = 5.7 hours (~5h 40m)

So with a typical 7 kW home charger, it would take just under 6 hours to charge from 20% to 80%.

Types of EV Chargers and Charging Speeds

Charging time depends heavily on the type of charger you use:

• Level 1 (Slow Charging – 2-3 kW)
  • Uses a standard household socket.
  • Adds about 4-5 miles of range per hour.
  • Best for overnight charging if you drive short distances.
• Level 2 (Fast Charging – 7-22 kW)
  • Requires a dedicated home or workplace charging point.
  • Adds 20-30 miles of range per hour.
  • Ideal for daily charging.
• Level 3 (Rapid DC Charging – 50-350 kW)
  • Found at public charging stations and service areas.
  • Can charge from 20% to 80% in 20–40 minutes depending on your EV model.
  • Perfect for long-distance travel.

Why Use an EV Charging Time Calculator?

Using a charging calculator helps EV drivers:

• Plan trips more efficiently – Know when and where to stop for charging.
• Estimate home charging costs – Combine with electricity rates to estimate charging expenses.
• Avoid charging anxiety – Get a realistic idea of how long charging will take.
• Compare chargers – See the difference between charging at home vs. rapid chargers.

Example Charging Times

Here’s a quick overview of charging times for a 60 kWh EV battery (20% → 80%):

• 2.4 kW (household plug): ~17 hours
• 7 kW (home charger): ~6 hours
• 11 kW (workplace charger): ~4 hours
• 50 kW (rapid charger): ~50 minutes
• 150 kW (ultra-rapid): ~20 minutes

FAQs About EV Charging Time

1. How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?
Most EVs take 6–10 hours with a standard 7 kW home charger, depending on battery size.

2. Can I charge my EV overnight?
Yes! Many EV drivers charge overnight with a home charger, so the car is ready each morning.

3. Why does charging slow down after 80%?
To protect the battery, charging speed drops above 80%. That’s why most drivers stop at 80% for daily use.

4. What’s the fastest way to charge an EV?
Using a DC rapid charger (50–350 kW). Some EVs can gain 100+ miles of range in under 20 minutes.

5. Does cold weather affect charging time?
Yes, batteries charge slower in extreme cold. Preconditioning your EV helps improve charging efficiency.

6. Can I use a regular plug to charge my EV?
Yes, but it’s very slow (often 15+ hours). A dedicated home charger is recommended.

7. Are all EVs compatible with fast chargers?
Not all. Charging speed also depends on your car’s maximum charging capacity.

8. How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
It depends on your electricity rate. For example, charging a 60 kWh battery at £0.30/kWh costs about £18 for a full charge.

9. How much does it cost to charge an EV in public?
The cost to charge your EV in public varies depending on your network operator. For example, popular networks like instavolt charge PAYG price of 87p/kWh while ionity charges 74p/kWh