Electric Vehicle Charging Times: Optimizing Energy Use for Your Ride
Electric vehicles offer many benefits, from never having to refill the gas tank to quiet operation and smooth driving. Still, EV owners are challenged with perfecting the recharge process to ensure they have enough battery when needed and aren’t delayed due to slow charging.
So, how can you optimize your EV’s recharge and ensure it charges as fast as possible? Here’s what you need to know.
Charger Types and Speeds
There are three common types of EV chargers, with speeds ranging from slow to fast and fastest.
Level 1
A Level 1 charger is the basic option. It draws power from a standard AC socket and is the slowest charging option, with output up to 1.8 kW. At this charge rate, you can get about 6-7 miles of driving range per hour of charging or a full charge in 40-72 hours.
Because of the low speeds, Level 1 chargers are often impractical for day-to-day charging and are primarily used as a backup option.
Level 2
A Level 2 charger is an upgrade from the Level 1 that uses a 208/240V AC connection, providing power up to 19.2 kW. At this rate, the car can gain 10-73 miles of range per hour, or charge fully in 4-24 hours.
These chargers include models like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra, which can offer Level 1 and Level 2 charging and can draw power from either an AC outlet or solar panels. You’ll likely find Level 2 chargers in residential, workplace, and public settings.
DC Fast Charging
DC Fast Chargers are also known as Level 3 chargers, as they are a step up from Level 2 chargers. Rather than deliver AC power, like the other two options, they provide DC power directly to the car’s battery, allowing the electricity to bypass the onboard charger for faster charging.
They have a three-phase input and produce an output between 30 and 360 kW. Their fast speeds reduce charging downtime, making them ideal for use along highways or in urban areas.
Popular EV Charging Times
Vehicle | Powertrain | Level 1 Charging Time (Estimate) | Level 2 Charging Time (Estimate) | DCFC Charging Time (Estimate) |
2025 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid | PHEV | 10.5 hours | 4.4 hours | Not available |
2025 Kia Niro EV | EV | 57 hours | 5.9 hours | 10-85% in 45 minutes |
2025 Nissan Leaf | EV | 60 hours | 9.4 hours | 10-80% in 45-60 minutes |
2025 Nissan Ariya | EV | 72.5 hours | 10.5 - 14 hours | 10-80% in 35-90 minutes |
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | PHEV | 11 hours | 4 hours | Not available |
2025 Tesla Model 3 | EV | 41 hours | 10.8 hours | 200 miles in 15 minutes |
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station
How to Estimate Charging Time for Electric Vehicles
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. How can you calculate the time it will take to charge your EV? Use these steps to find the correct figures you need to make this calculation.
Find Battery Capacity. Start by determining your EV battery’s total storage capacity in kWh. Let’s say the energy capacity is 80 kWh.
Determine Current State of Charge. Next, see how much charge remains in your EV battery. You can find it by accessing your in-vehicle display. Look for a percentage. Let’s say the battery is half charged. At 80 kWh, that means there’s 40 kWh left and 40 kWh needed to get to full charge again.
Determine the Charger Power Output. Look for the maximum rate at which your charger can deliver energy to your EV. You can use a charger plugged into an AC socket, or charge with solar panels for a truly eco-friendly car. This will be measured in kW. For example, if using the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W), it has a 4 kW output.
Watch for the Vehicle’s Charge Acceptance Rate. Sometimes, the vehicle’s battery has a maximum power rate less than the charger’s total output. You want to know because your charging will be limited by the car’s maximum acceptance rate.
Calculate Charge Time. Divide the amount of energy needed by the charger's power output (or the maximum vehicle charge acceptance rate, whichever is lower).
If we continue our example of the 80 kWh battery that is 50% charged, we know that it needs 40 kWh of power to reach a full charge. Let’s say the vehicle acceptance rate is 11 kW, and your Level 2 charger’s output is 7.6 kW. We’ll use the 7.6 kW instead of the 11 kW because it’s smaller.
So we would divide the charge needed (40 kWh) by the charger’s output (7.6 kW) to find that the vehicle will require about 5.26 hours of charging to reach full battery. From there, you can also determine how much it will cost to charge your EV if you’d like.
One thing to keep in mind is whether a 100% charge is really the goal. Research shows that energy loss slows between the 20-80% state of charge range, while power between the 80-100% range is almost double. In that case, it may not make sense to exceed 80% when charging, saving you both time and frustrating losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Quickly Do Electric Cars Charge?
The speed at which electric cars charge depends largely on the type of charger used, the vehicle’s maximum power acceptance rate, and the battery’s current state of charge at any given point. Level 1 chargers are the slowest, Level 2 chargers are faster, and DC Fast Charging is the fastest.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Vehicle at a Charging Station?
Most public charging stations use Level 2 or DC Fast Charging stations, so you can get a full charge in a few hours (if using a Level 2 charger) or potentially in as little as an hour (if using a DC Fast Charger). It also depends on your vehicle’s charge acceptance rate.
What Is the 80% Rule for EV Charging?
The 80% rule for EV charging recommends keeping the charge level between 20% and 80% most of the time. This avoids fully draining 100% of the battery or reaching 100% charge, as charging to 100% often can stress the EV’s battery.
Final Thoughts
Charging your EV can either be a long and cumbersome affair or a short and powerful experience. It largely comes down to the charger you use, with DC Fast Charging offering the fastest recharge rates and Level 2 chargers performing faster than Level 1 chargers.
Some people use a power source like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3, which offers both Level 1 and 2 charging capabilities, giving you the option based on how much time you have. Choose your charger wisely and consider your schedule to optimize your EV Charging.