EV charging time: how many hours at home, AC and DC?
The Journal · Sep 30, 2026
EV charging time: how many hours at home, AC and DC?
Short answer: charging time (hours) ≈ energy needed (kWh) ÷ charging power (kW). A car with a 60 kWh battery takes about 16–18 hours from empty on a household socket (3.7 kW), 8–9 hours at 7.4 kW and around 6 hours on an 11 kW home charger. On a DC fast charger, 20% to 80% takes 20–40 minutes for most cars.
How to calculate charging time
First work out how much energy the car needs: battery capacity × the share to be filled. For example, taking a 60 kWh battery from 20% to 100% needs 48 kWh. Divide by the charging power and add about 10% for losses: 48 ÷ 11 kW ≈ 4.4 hours, about 4.8 hours with losses.
Three things limit charging power: the socket or charger, the car's on-board charger (its AC power) and the cable. Charging runs at the lowest of these. A car that accepts at most 11 kW AC also charges at 11 kW on a 22 kW charger.
Approximate times for a 60 kWh battery (empty to full)
- Household socket, 3.7 kW (single-phase 16 A): about 16–18 hours
- Single-phase 32 A, 7.4 kW: about 8–9 hours
- Home charger, 11 kW (three-phase 16 A): about 6 hours
- Home charger, 22 kW (three-phase 32 A, if the car supports it): about 3 hours
- DC fast charging, 50–150 kW: 20–80% usually 20–45 minutes
Why does DC charging slow down at 80%?
As the battery fills, the car reduces charging power to protect the cells. That is why DC fast charging is quick up to about 80% and noticeably slower afterwards. On a trip, charging to 80% and moving on is usually the most time-efficient.
Other factors
- Temperature: in cold weather, charging power may be lower until the battery warms up.
- Starting charge level: DC charging is fastest when the battery is low.
- Installation: a home charger's power is set to suit your contract and board capacity.
You don't need to fill up from empty every day: the energy for 40–60 km of daily driving (about 8–12 kWh) is recovered in about an hour on an 11 kW home charger, or overnight on a household socket.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does an electric car take to charge?
It depends on battery size and charging power. A 60 kWh battery takes about 16–18 hours on a household socket and about 6 hours on an 11 kW home charger; on DC fast charging, 20–80% usually takes 20–45 minutes.
Does a 22 kW charger charge every car faster?
No. If the car's on-board charger accepts at most 11 kW AC, a 22 kW charger still charges at 11 kW. Only cars that support 22 kW AC benefit.
How long does home charging take?
The energy used in daily driving is usually recovered in 1–2 hours on an 11 kW home charger, or overnight on a household socket. A full charge of a 60 kWh battery at 11 kW takes about 6 hours.