If you’re looking to buy an electric car, you want to get as much information as possible before handing over your money or agreeing to the monthly payments. One common question many people have about electric cars is how long do they take to charge? The answer to this question varies depending on the type of electric car you have and the type of charger you’re using. The range starts at around 30 minutes but can last up to 24 hours, depending on the car and charger. Many people tend to charge their vehicle in a similar way they would charge their mobile phone. They are plugging it in and leaving it on charge overnight and, if needed, topping it up with smaller charges during the daytime.
What is the fastest way to charge?
An ultra-rapid charging point is currently the quickest way to charge an electric car. Ultra-rapid chargers use much more power than the typical car charger. In fact, they have an output of up to 350kWh. These chargers are usually found in motorway service stations, and their numbers are increasing as the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise. Using an ultra-rapid charger, you can expect to charge your vehicle up to 80% in around 20 minutes. The time to charge an electric car is getting shorter as technology advances. The ultra-rapid chargers can only be used by newer electric vehicles; as the technology evolves, quicker charging will become a part of all electric cars. This type of quick charging is the most convenient for motorists on the move; you can therefore expect to pay a premium to use an ultra-rapid electric car charger.
How long does home charging take?
If you’re planning to predominantly charge your car at home using a home charging point, you will want to understand how long it takes to charge your vehicle at home. Each vehicle will differ slightly depending on the size of the battery and the output of your home charger. If you’re browsing used electric cars in the UK, check the battery size on the vehicle specification. If you choose to have a wall box installed, it will speed up the rate at which you can charge your electric car from home. A wall box is installed on the outside of your house, and it is dedicated to charging your electric vehicles. Most electric car owners choose to have a wall box installed to minimise at-home charging times. It can also prevent issues with wires and offers a more convenient solution for home charging. A wall box charger has an output of 3kW – 7kW; the higher the output, the faster your car will charge. If you’re installing a home charger, you should opt for a 7kW charger; this will easily fully charge most cars overnight. The other option is to use a standard charger you can plug into your socket at home; this draws a maximum of around 2.3kW of power and can take over 24 hours to charge some car batteries. The best option if you have the money available is to install a 7kW charging point on the outside of your home. Some governments provide grants to help with the cost of installing home charging points. Check your eligibility before paying for the installation cost yourself.
Suppose you’re planning to charge your car at home using a standard plug or a dedicated charging point. If this is the case, we recommend switching your electricity tariff. A tariff that provides a cheaper price at night will help you save money on your electricity bill and further reduce your overall fuel costs. Using a home charging system with a nighttime tariff is the cheapest and most efficient way to charge any electric vehicle.
You can save a significant amount of money if you can get access to charge your vehicle for free during working hours. If you have access to free charging through your work premises, make sure you purchase an electric car compatible with your work charging point. Some supermarkets also provide free slow charging for customers whilst they shop; always check your local stores for compatibility before buying an electric vehicle.
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