Master the formula to calculate charging time for any electric vehicle. Learn the step-by-step process with real-world examples and practical applications.
This is the fundamental formula for calculating EV charging time. However, real-world charging involves several factors that affect this basic calculation.
Find your EV's total battery capacity in kWh. This is usually listed in the vehicle specifications.
Determine how much energy you need to add based on current and target charge levels.
Find the charging power in kW. This depends on your charger type and vehicle capabilities.
Account for charging losses (typically 10-15% energy loss during charging).
Divide adjusted energy by charging power to get charging time.
DC fast charging power decreases as battery fills up. Peak power is typically maintained only from 10-50%, then gradually reduces to protect battery health.
Cold weather can reduce charging speed by 20-40%. Battery preconditioning helps maintain optimal charging speeds in cold conditions.
Actual charging power is limited by the lower of: vehicle's max charging rate, charger's max output, or current sharing with other vehicles.
| Charging Type | Power | 60 kWh Battery | 80 kWh Battery | 100 kWh Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (120V) | 1.4 kW | 43 hours | 57 hours | 71 hours |
| Level 2 Home | 7.4 kW | 8.1 hours | 10.8 hours | 13.5 hours |
| Level 2 Public | 11 kW | 5.5 hours | 7.3 hours | 9.1 hours |
| DC Fast (50 kW) | 50 kW | 1.2 hours | 1.6 hours | 2.0 hours |
| DC Fast (150 kW) | 150 kW | 24 min | 32 min | 40 min |
*Times shown are for 10-80% charging with 10% efficiency loss factored in.