How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

Unlike filling a fuel tank in a few minutes, the time it takes to charge an electric car varies depending on the battery size, the charger used, the vehicle’s charging capability, and the battery’s charge level when you start charging. In general, the time it takes to charge an EV can range from around 30 minutes at a rapid charger to more than 10 hours with a home charger, but even this can vary depending on factors.

In this guide, we’ll explain how long it takes to charge an electric car, explore the key differences between home charging and public charge points, and break down the main factors that affect charging speed. We’ll also look at how rapid chargers work in real-world conditions, using practical examples from the Skywell BE11 to bring everything to life. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether it’s better to charge at home or rely on public charging stations, giving you a realistic picture of what EV ownership looks like day to day.

How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV?

How long is a piece of string? Charging time depends on the charger power (kW) and battery size (kWh).

Charger Type	Typical Power	Time to Fully Charge
3-pin plug	~2.3kW	24–36 hours
Home charger	7kW	8–10 hours
Fast public charger	22kW	3–4 hours
Rapid charger	50kW	30–60 minutes
Ultra-rapid charger	150kW+	20–30 minutes

For example, a typical EV with a 60kWh battery may charge in under eight hours using a 7kW charger, while rapid chargers can deliver most of a charge in under an hour.

This is why most EV owners use a home charger overnight, while relying on public charging stations for longer journeys.

What Affects How Long It Takes to Charge an Electric Car?

There isn’t a single answer for how long it takes to charge an electric car, because several factors influence charging time, it’s not as simple as putting fuel into an ICE vehicle, and it’s a lifestyle change when you first start driving an EV. But one that is easy to get used to and actually cost-effective compared to rising fuel prices.

Battery Size

The larger the battery, the longer it takes to fully charge.

For example:

• 40kWh battery → quicker charge
• 60kWh battery → moderate charge time
• 80kWh+ battery → longer charging time

The Skywell BE11 comes with battery options of 72kWh or 86kWh, offering a strong range but naturally requiring more time to fully charge than smaller EVs

Charger Power (kW)

Charging speed depends heavily on the charger’s power.

Higher power chargers deliver energy to the battery faster.

Examples:

• 7kW home charger → standard home charging
• 50kW rapid charger → motorway or public charging stations
• 150kW+ ultra-rapid charger → fastest public charging

Higher charging power means faster charging times, but the vehicle must also support that speed.

Current Battery Level

Most EVs charge fastest when the battery is between 10% and 80%. After 80%, the charging speed slows to protect battery health. This means the final 20% of a charge takes longer than the earlier portion.

Because of this, many drivers stop charging at 80% during rapid charging sessions. It’s also a good habit not to fully charge your battery unless you are planning a long trip where range is needed. When a battery sits at or near 100% charge for long periods, it experiences higher voltage stress. Over time, this can accelerate chemical degradation inside the battery, slightly reducing its overall capacity. In simple terms, the battery “ages” faster, which means less range over time.

Temperature

Cold batteries charge more slowly. At a basic level, charging relies on lithium ions moving between the battery’s electrodes through a liquid electrolyte. When it’s cold, that movement slows down. The electrolyte becomes more resistant, and the ions can’t flow as freely, which reduces how quickly energy can be safely pushed into the battery.

Many modern EVs automatically warm the battery as they approach a rapid charger, thereby improving charging speed.

Vehicle Charging Capability

Vehicle charging capability also affects how quickly an EV can charge, because even if a charging station can deliver high power, the vehicle itself has a maximum charging limit it cannot exceed. For example, some electric vehicles are designed to accept rapid charging speeds of around 50kW, while others can handle 150kW or more. The Skywell BE11 supports fast DC charging, enabling a significant battery top-up in approximately 45 minutes when connected to a rapid charger, making it well-suited to both everyday use and longer journeys.

Charging an Electric Car at Home

For most drivers, the most convenient way to charge an electric car is at home, where charging typically uses AC power delivered through a dedicated wall charger. While it is technically possible to charge an EV using a standard 3-pin household socket, the charging speed is extremely slow, with a full charge often taking 24-36 hours, making it suitable only as an emergency option.

A dedicated home wall charger, most commonly a 7kW unit in the UK, provides a much faster, more practical solution for everyday charging, allowing drivers to conveniently top up their battery overnight. Charging times typically look like this:

Battery Size	Hours to Charge
40kWh	5–6 hours
60kWh	7–8 hours
80kWh	9–11 hours

For example, charging a 68kWh battery with a 7kW home charger typically takes around 10 hours, which makes overnight charging an ideal solution for most drivers. The Skywell BE11, with a battery capacity of approximately 72kWh for the standard model and 86kWh for the long-range version, fits well within this routine. Using a 7kW home charger, a full charge generally takes around 9–10 hours, allowing you to simply plug in overnight and start the day with an ample charge. For many EV owners, this approach offers the most convenient and consistent way to keep their vehicle ready for everyday use.

Charging at Public Charge Points

Public charging stations are designed for drivers who need faster charging when away from home, and they are widely available at locations such as supermarkets, public car parks, motorway service stations and dedicated charging hubs. These charge points typically provide higher power, making them more suitable for on-the-go top-ups. Fast public chargers, usually ranging from 7–22kW, are commonly found in places where vehicles are parked for several hours, such as shopping centres, hotels and workplace car parks, with charging times typically between three and six hours depending on the vehicle and battery size.

For longer journeys, rapid chargers (around 50kW) are more commonly used and are typically located at motorway services, along major roads and at some supermarkets. These can charge an EV to around 80% in approximately 30 to 60 minutes, making them ideal for quick stops during travel. At the top end, ultra-rapid chargers delivering 150kW or more are the fastest public charging option currently available, often installed at motorway charging hubs and high-traffic locations. These can add substantial range in a short time, with some capable of delivering a significant battery top-up in as little as 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the vehicle’s charging capability.

Skywell BE11 Rapid Charging

The Skywell BE11 supports DC fast charging, making it well suited to longer journeys and quick top-ups on the go. At a rapid charging station, the BE11 can typically charge from around 30% to 80% in approximately 30–45 minutes, allowing drivers to gain a substantial amount of range in a short space of time. In practical terms, this means you can stop for a coffee, plug into a rapid charger, and add enough energy to cover plenty of miles before continuing your journey.

How to Calculate EV Charging Time

You can estimate charging time using a simple formula:

Charging Time = Battery Size (kWh) ÷ Charger Power (kW)

Example:

68kWh battery ÷ 7kW charger = about 10 hours

This calculation provides a rough estimate of the hours to charge an EV from empty to full.

In practice, charging times vary due to battery temperature, efficiency losses and charging speed changes near full capacity.

How Much Range Can Charging Add?

Another way to understand charging speed is by looking at miles added per hour.

Typical estimates:

Charger Type	Miles Added Per Hour
3-pin socket	8–10 miles
7kW home charger	20–30 miles
Rapid charger	100+ miles in ~30 minutes

A 7kW charger can add roughly 25–30 miles of range per hour depending on the vehicle.

So, How Long does Charging an EV Take?

The time it takes to charge an electric car depends primarily on the charger being used and the size of the vehicle’s battery. In general, rapid chargers can deliver a significant top-up in as little as 30 minutes, while a typical home charger will take around 8–10 hours for a full charge, and standard public chargers may require several hours depending on power output. For everyday driving, the most convenient approach is usually to charge at home overnight, ensuring the vehicle is ready to go each morning. When travelling longer distances, rapid charging stations and public charge points provide an efficient way to quickly add range. With modern EVs like the Skywell BE11 offering both long driving range and fast charging capability, electric vehicle ownership is becoming increasingly practical and easy to integrate into daily life.