How long does it take to charge an electric car?

How long it takes to charge an electric car depends on the type of charging point, which is defined by the power (kW) and speed at which they charge. There are three main charging speeds: Slow, Fast and Rapid.

Slow chargers (up to 3kW)

Slow charging is the most common method of charging an electric vehicle and is typically done by owners at home and overnight. Other slow charging points can be found in office car parks, but public points are uncommon, as a full charge can take 6-12 hours.

Fast chargers (7-22kW)

These are the charging points you’ll find in supermarket car parks and shopping centres. A 7kW will recharge an EV in 3-5 hours; while a 22kw point will be faster, typically charging a car in 1-2 hours.

Rapid chargers (43- 120kW)

Travel on a motorway and the chances are you’ll find a rapid charging point at a service station. A rapid charger can provide up to 80% of charge in 20-40 minutes.