How long does it take to charge an electric car?

Charging an electric car at home is one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to power your vehicle.

But how long does it actually take? The answer depends on several factors, including your home charger’s power output, the size of your electric vehicle’s battery, and how much charge it needs. This guide breaks down the key variables, offers real-world examples, and provides tips for faster, smarter home charging.

What affects EV charging time?

Several variables influence how long it takes to charge an electric car at home:

Charger power (3.6kW vs 7.4kW vs 22kW)

Most home charging points are rated at either 3.6kW or 7kW.

A 3.6kW home charger is roughly equivalent to charging an electric car with a three-pin plug and is relatively slow, typcially adding around 11 miles of range per hour of charge.

A 7.4kW home charging point is the standard for most UK home installations and significantly reduces charging time by adding around 22 miles of range per hour of charge.

Properties with a three-phase power supply can have a 22kW home charger. Do bear in mind however that only a few EVs can take full advantage of this speed with most only going to 11kW. Electric cars that are able to take advantage of the full 22kW charging speed will see around 61 miles of range added per hour of charge. If your electric vehicle only charges to 11kW then you'll typically see 31 miles of range added per hour of charge.

For more information on three-phase home electric vehicle charging, be sure to check out our dedidcated guide.

Battery size

Batteries sizes are measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). The bigger the battery, the longer it takes to charge.

A small city electric car might have a 40kWh battery, while a large SUV could have an 80kWh or larger pack.

More capacity means more energy is needed to reach a full charge.

Starting charge level

If your battery is at 20%, it will obviously take longer to charge to full than if it was starting at 80%.

To avoid longer charging times and potentially charging during your peak hours if using a time-of-use tariff, we advise topping up regularly from a partial charge rather than waiting for the battery to deplete to close to zero. This is also better for your EVs overall battery health.

EV make and model

Each EV has its own maximum AC charging rate. For example, some can only accept 6.6kW even when connected to a 7kW charger, while others can use the full 22kW. Be sure to find your electric vehicle on our vehicle pages to see how long your electric car takes to charge.

How long does it take to charge an electric car fully at home

The time it takes to charge depends on a mix of the factors above. Here’s a table showing approximate times to charge from 0% to 100% using different charger types:

Requires three-phase supply
* Max charging speed is only achievable if EV supports 22kW AC charging

Partial vs full charging

Charging from 20% to 80% is more common in day-to-day use and takes significantly less time. Most EVs also charge more slowly after 80% to preserve battery life.

In most cases, it's advisable to limit your charge targets to 80% on usual days and save charging to 100% for when you plan to take your electric car on a long journey.

Fast vs slow charging at home

At home, EV charging is generally categorised as:

• Slow: Up to 3.6kW (typically 8–24 hours to full charge)

• Fast: 7kW–22kW (3–12 hours to full charge, depending on battery size)

• Rapid: 50kW+ (not typically available for home use)

Most home EV drivers use fast chargers (7kW), which offer a good balance between cost, speed, and practicality.

Smart charging and scheduling

Using a smart home EV charger allows you to schedule charging during off-peak hours, typically overnight. This can:

• Save money with lower energy rates

• Reduce demand on the grid

• Improve battery health by avoiding continuous rapid charging

Some chargers even integrate with smart tariffs, automatically charging your car when electricity is cheapest and greenest.

How can I speed up my EV charging?

Here are some ways to reduce your charging time at home:

Install a higher-power charger

Using a dedicated 7kW home EV charger will significantly lower the time your EV spends charging. However, if you are really wanting faster charging speeds but you only have a single phase power supply then you could upgrade it to a three-phase supply and get a 22kW charger. Please bear in mind however that this can be very costly. For more information on three-phase home EV charging, be sure to check out our dedicated guide on the subject.

Use smart charging

Charging regularly and setting your car to go on charge whilst you are doing other things (such as sleeping) can reduce the chances of your charge sessions interferring with times when you might need to use the car.

Precondition your EV

Warming (or cooling) your electric car while it's still plugged in can reduce energy used on the road thus preserve more energy for when you next top up.

FAQs

How long does a typical overnight charge take?

For most EVs connected to a 7kW home charger, an overnight charge (around 8 hours) will take the battery from 20% to 100% or close to it.

Why does my electric car charge slower in winter?

Cold weather affects an electric car's battery chemistry, reducing charging speeds. Some energy is also used to warm the battery before charging can begin.

Why does my EV charge slower after 80%?

To protect battery longevity, most EVs reduce the charging speed once 80% capacity is reached. This is perfectly normal and helps maintain long-term performance.

Think of EV charging like pouring water in a glass. You pour slowly to start, speed up mid way and then slow down so as to avoid any spillages.

Why does charging speed vary between different EVs?

Different models have different onboard charger capacities and battery sizes. These factors influence how much power the car can draw and how quickly it charges. To find out what speeds your electric car charges at, head over to our vehicle pages.

What is trickle charging and is it safe?

Trickle charging usually refers to using a 3-pin socket. It’s safe for occasional use but not recommended long-term due to slower speeds and less stability. A dedicated home charger is safer and more efficient.