Electric Vehicle Charging: How Long Does it Take?
The most common question asked when purchasing an EV obviously regards electric vehicle charging, and how long it takes. Unlike traditional petrol and diesel vehicles taking a matter of minutes to fill up from empty at your nearest petrol station, charging times is an understandable concern amongst those interested in switching to electric.
Electric vehicle charging is prolonged due to power being transferred differently and at a slower rate. However, innovative technology has produced rapid charging, meaning charging times may be much quicker than anticipated.
Charging on the Move
Throughout the UK, there are nearly 24,000 public chargers in over 8,000 locations; therefore, finding a power source should not be difficult! Public charging points are split into two types; fast charging and rapid charging. Fast chargers work between 7kW and 22kW, whilst rapid chargers work between 43kW and 50kW for quicker charging on the go.
Rapid chargers provide 60-200 miles of range in around half an hour, depending on the size of the battery and the exact speed of the charging point. Rapid charging is ideal for lengthy motorway journeys; you can take a break whilst quickly topping up your vehicle. Opt for an MG ZS EV and the battery is water-cooled, designed explicitly for enhanced rapid charging capabilities and can be charged to 80% in as little as forty minutes!
Electric Vehicle Charging at Homes
How long it takes to charge an electric vehicle at home depends upon two factors; the speed of the charging unit and the amount of power you need. On average, home charging points will give around 15-30 miles of range per hour, depending on the vehicle. In the UK, the maximum current from a standard plug is 3kW which is a lot smaller than the public charging points mentioned above. In addition, not all home sockets have these facilities, and many manufacturers advise not using main sockets for frequent charging as this can cause overheating.
As many homes only supply low power outputs, many electric vehicle owners benefit from installing a faster home charging unit. Usually, these provide 7kW in power, the same as the minimum public charging points, but 22kW home charging units are available.
Does Anything Affect Charge Times?
To put it simply, yes, there are a few factors that can affect how long to charge an electric car:
Battery sizes
The bigger your vehicle’s battery capacity, the longer it will take to charge. Although, this does mean that the charge will last longer.
Battery states
The state of your battery will affect charging times – naturally, if you’re charging from empty, it will take longer than topping up from 50%.
Maximum charge rates of the vehicle
You can only charge an electric vehicle at the maximum charge rate that the car can accept, meaning your vehicle will not charge any faster by using a more robust charging point.
The maximum charging rate of the power source
Much like the vehicle charging rate, even if your electric car can charge at a higher rate than the charging point, it will only charge as quickly as the power source is capable!
Environmental impacts
Colder temperatures can lead to slightly increased charging times, mainly when using a rapid charger. This can also make vehicles less efficient.
In conclusion, similar to petrol and diesel cars, you will very rarely need to charge your electric vehicle fully. You should be able to plan your journeys the same as you would in a classic car! Think of it as charging your phone; top it during the day when necessary and charge to total capacity overnight!
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