Electric Car Charging: How Much Time Does It Take? – EQ Mag
In the fast-paced world of electric mobility, the question of car charging time continues to intrigue potential EV owners and users alike.
As the whole globe moves towards a more sustainable future, understanding the ins and outs of electric vehicle charging becomes ever more essential. This brings many to consider – how long does it take to fully charge an electric car?
The answer, intriguingly, is that it depends. Multiple factors come into play – from the battery capacity of your vehicle and the power of the charging point to your charging strategy and the remaining battery level. In this article, we dive into these variables to provide a comprehensive overview of EV charging time. We will also look at how platforms like the Bonnet app helps simplify the charging process and provide a seamless user experience.
Battery Capacity
Electric vehicle battery capacity is a crucial factor in determining how much time is needed for charging an electric car. EV battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), similar to the energy measurement on your electricity bill. The higher the capacity, the more electricity the battery can store, which translates to a more extended range. However, it also means a longer charging time, all things being equal.
Take the Nissan Leaf, for example, one of the most popular EVs in the UK. The latest model comes with a 40 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 168 miles. It would take approximately six hours to fully charge this battery from 0% at home using a standard 7kW charger. However, a Tesla Model S has a significantly larger battery capacity of 100 kWh, offering a range of up to 375 miles. With a home charger, it would take around 14 hours to fully charge from 0%.
It is crucial to note, though, that most EV drivers rarely need to charge from 0% to 100%. In most cases, you top up your battery, just like you top up your mobile phone battery.
Charging Power
Other than that, the speed of charging is also determined by the power of the charging point. Charging power is measured in kilowatts (kW), and the higher the power output, the faster your vehicle charges.
At home, you will typically find 3kW to 7kW chargers. Meanwhile, public charging points are usually more powerful, ranging from fast chargers (7kW to 22kW), which can charge your EV in a few hours, to rapid chargers (43kW to 50kW) and ultra-rapid chargers (up to 350kW), which can add 100 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes.
Having mentioned it, Bonnet, one of the best EV charging app assistants, connects users to a vast network of over 17,500 charging points across the UK, offering a range of power outputs. As a result, users can easily locate a convenient charging station, check its power output, and calculate how long it will take to charge their EV.
Charging Strategy
Your charging strategy also plays a vital role in deciding how much time it takes to charge your electric car. For example, most EV owners charge their vehicles overnight at home when electricity demand (and often price) is lower. By doing so, they ensure their EV is ready for morning commutes without waiting for it to charge.
When on the road, drivers can use the Bonnet app to locate nearby charging stations, check their availability in real-time, and see their charging rates. By planning their journeys around the locations of these charging points, EV drivers can optimise their charging times and make the most of their EV’s range.
The Current State of the Battery
Last but certainly not least, the current state of the battery also influences how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle. EVs charge faster when their batteries are less full. This is due to the nature of lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in EVs. The charging speed of an electric vehicle’s battery typically slows down when it reaches around 80% of its capacity to protect the battery’s health and longevity. This is often referred to as battery throttling. Therefore, if you plug in your EV when the battery is almost full, the charging process will be slower compared to when the battery is near empty.
An efficient method to manage this is by regularly topping up your battery rather than waiting for it to be almost empty before plugging it in. Such an approach is better for the battery’s health and ensures that your electric car is always ready to go when you need it.
Once again, apps like Bonnet play a crucial role in assisting EV drivers with this. Users can easily locate a convenient charging station and start charging their vehicle, regardless of the current state of the battery. In addition, by giving drivers easy access to a broad range of EV charging stations and transparent pricing information, apps like Bonnet ensure EV drivers can top up their batteries conveniently and cost-effectively.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, the length of time it takes to charge an electric vehicle is influenced by various factors, including the vehicle’s battery capacity, the power of the charging station, your charging strategy, and the current state of the battery. Understanding these aspects can help you plan your charging sessions more efficiently and ensure you get the most out of your electric vehicle.
Since we continue to make strides towards a more sustainable future with electric mobility, tools like the Bonnet app are proving invaluable. By simplifying the EV charging process and providing access to a wide range of EV charging points, the Bonnet app is helping to make the transition to electric driving easier and more convenient for everyone.
Source: PTI
