Facts: How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

There are quite a few methods for charging a newly purchased electric car. Providence drivers may find that there are a variety of plugs, ports, and adapters to choose from, so you won’t be limited to one method. So, how long does it take to charge an electric car? Well, that varies on the charging method you choose and the type, make, and model of electric vehicle you own.

There are different battery systems in many electric vehicles, and they are only getting more advanced, holding more power in less space. This variability means that there is not one short and simple answer to the question. There are, however, three predominant types of charging systems, and whichever you choose will affect your charging rates. Keep reading below to find out more or contact us at BMW of Warwick to learn more.

What Electric Car Charging Options Exist?

1. Domestic Outlet Home Charging: A typical 110/120V charging outlet that you find at your home (Level 1 Charging) does not provide speed, but it is a solid option if you need to top off your battery. The Level 1 charging system takes about 24 hours to fully charge a battery. This method is slow and will realistically take a few days to get that full battery.
2. Installed Brand-Approved Domestic Charging: The professionally installed Level 2 charging method includes a 240V or more charger made specifically for your vehicle’s brand. It will have much higher charging rates then your typical 120V home outlet, which will charge your vehicle in hours instead of days. DC fast chargers are more common, and you can get up to 80% charge in as little as thirty or forty minutes with this method. The last 20% of the charge will take a bit longer with the diminishing charging rate.
3. Public Charging: Charging on the go is becoming more and more accessible in Cranston. Parking garages, malls, hotels, apartment buildings, and many other places have charging stations available for public use, with available charging stations growing more and more. The type and speed of charge varies, but more often than not, Level 2 charging is available. Even more exciting, if there are solar panels or wind turbines, your vehicle can now be powered emissions free!

Typical Domestic Charging Electric Car Charging Time

Whether you choose Level 1 or Level 2 charging, you will get a different charging time. Read below to learn more, and hopefully answer the question “How long does it take to charge an electric car?”:

• Level 1 EV charging can take days to produce a fully charged electric car.
• Level 2 EV charging often can take several hours to fully charge your electric car. However, you can get between 60-200 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes with Level 2 DC charging. Most people intermix daytime “top-off” charging with overnight charging.

If you are currently driving or have had a plug-in hybrid vehicle, you may find the charging times are much less than what’s described here. Usually, a plug-in hybrid will take 1-4 hours to fully charge, and this is because they don’t run on electricity as a sole energy source. Typically, you will find that they run on electric power completely but only for short stints and at certain speeds, then they switch to the gas-powered engine.

Public Electric Car Charging Time

Home charging can provide you 3.7 kW or 7kW charging, and public stations can provide 22 kW, 43-50 kW, and 150 kW rapid charging. For some vehicles, you could charge to 100% in just about an hour, while others may take 4 to 11 hours.

BMW Electric Car Charging Times

BMW currently has an electric BMW i3 with the upcoming i4 and iX models soon to be released. To give you an idea of how efficient these vehicles are, here are their approximate charging times:

• BMW i3: 11 hours with home charger
• BMW i4: 80% charge in 30 minutes with fast charging
• BMW iX: 80% charge in 40 minutes with fast charging

Test Out Your Electric Vehicle Near Cranston

When you are ready to explore electric vehicles in person, come visit us at BMW of Warwick. We don’t sacrifice power or luxury when it comes to our electric vehicles. You can explore our inventory online and apply for financing before you come visit us. We are happy to get you behind the wheel as fast as possible, and if you have any more questions about electric car charging time, we are here to help!