Charging our gadgets is part of our daily routines, whether it’s our phones, laptops or headphones. However, charging a car is something many of us are still getting used to. One challenge you might face is figuring out how long it takes to charge your EV so you can schedule your day appropriately. There’s no straightforward answer to this question because there are various factors to consider.
If you’re new to the EV world, here’s your guide to EV charging at home. Contact an electrician if you’re ready to enjoy the convenience of home charging. A licensed electrician will assess your electrical panel, upgrade it if necessary and install the charging station correctly.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV Car?
Your EV’s charging time is dependent on a host of variables. Even the weather and your charging cable’s length may have an impact. But if we’re narrowing it down to the top factors that affect EV charging time, it would be these: the power source, your EV’s charger capacity and its battery size.
Here’s a closer look at these variables and how they can slow down or speed up charging time.
Power Source
Your charger level and power source directly impact how slow or fast your EV charges. If you’re using a level 1 charger for your EV, you can plug it into your standard 120-volt outlet at home. These are the same ones you use for your toaster and phone. However, it’s going to take some time. Level 1 chargers can take 40 to 50 hours to charge battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from zero to 80% and five to six hours to charge plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Level 1 chargers can only add around five miles of range to your EV for every hour of charging. That means they’re only ideal for drivers who don’t have much distance to cover. If your daily commute takes less than 40 minutes, a level 1 charger might be sufficient for your needs. Otherwise, an overnight charge might still leave you hanging. Most EV owners are better off with a level 2 charger.
What is a Level 2 Charger?
If a level 1 charger is a squirt gun, you can think of level 2 chargers as a garden hose. They plug into 240-volt outlets, the same ones that power large appliances like electric ovens and clothes dryers. They are significantly faster than level 1 chargers, able to juice up BEVs from empty to 80% in 4 to 10 hours. Meanwhile, they only need one to two hours for PHEVs.
Level 2 chargers can add around 20 miles of range to your EV for every hour of charging. Leaving your vehicle plugged in overnight will add hundreds of miles, ensuring you can cover long distances the next day. A level 2 charger is the way to go if you live far from the office. You don’t have to worry about running on empty and having to look for a public charging station in the middle of nowhere.
One thing to note about level 2 chargers is that not all homes are equipped for an additional 240-volt outlet. Contact a licensed professional if you don’t already have one in your garage. A licensed electrician will inspect your home’s electrical panel to see if it can handle the higher-capacity outlet. The electrician will upgrade it if needed, install a level 2 home charging station and ensure it’s working safely and efficiently.
Battery Size
Your EV’s battery supplies the energy needed to power up the motor. A larger battery means more driving range. PHEVs typically have smaller batteries, covering around 40 miles using electric power. Meanwhile, BEVs boast significantly larger batteries, allowing them to exceed 400 miles. Battery size doesn’t just directly impact range–it also affects charging time.
Because smaller batteries, like the ones in PHEVs, store less energy, they need less time to recharge. PHEVs with tiny batteries usually only require two hours of charging if you’re using a level 2 charger. If you have a BEV with a more robust battery, you might have to plug it in for around seven hours if you’re using level 2 charging.
Charger Capacity
Many think the cord you plug into your EV is the charger, but that’s incorrect. Your EV contains an onboard battery charger that converts the AC electricity from the wall outlet into DC electricity, which charges the battery. The onboard charger releases power to the battery at a safe pace according to its power rating.
If your EV has a 100-kWh battery pack and a 10-kW onboard charger, you can expect charging time to be around 10 hours. However, that’s just a rough estimate because it doesn’t account for the losses during charging. Most onboard chargers have a power rating of at least 6.0 kWh, with some high-end models boasting twice that capacity.
So, how long does it take to charge an EV car? The answer depends greatly on the three factors discussed above. The best thing you can do to speed up charging time is to invest in a level 2 home charging station. You don’t have to worry about being late to work because overnight charging with a level 2 charger should give you enough range for the day ahead. Let a licensed professional take care of the installation.
What Is the Lifespan of an Electric Car Battery?
Switching from gas to electric is an investment, so new EV owners naturally want to know how long their car’s battery will last. Like phones and laptops, EVs have lithium-ion battery packs. They generally last between 10 and 20 years or 100,000 and 200,000 miles.
However, various factors can shorten the battery lifespan of your EV, with excessive heat being the number one culprit. Your battery might degrade more rapidly if you live in a hotter climate. Frequent level 3 charging can also overheat the battery and impact your battery’s longevity and performance. Fortunately, automakers equip their EVs with protective measures against overheating. Aside from heat, battery type and maintenance also play a role in your battery’s lifespan.
If you want your investment to last as long as possible, these tips can help preserve your EV’s battery.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Guidelines
Every EV manufacturer has its own cooling technology and battery chemistry. That also means they each have unique charging and operating instructions for optimal performance of their vehicles. You can prolong your EV’s battery by following your manufacturer’s guidelines and regularly updating your EV’s software.
Keep Temperatures Moderate
Liquid-cooled batteries have a longer lifespan because they operate at lower temperatures. You can maximize your EV’s battery life by operating and storing your vehicle in moderate temperatures. If you live in a warmer climate, it can help to park your EV inside a garage or in a shaded spot.
Keep Rapid Charging to a Minimum
While DC fast charging delivers impressive speed, it’s not advisable to use it often. It can cause your battery to overheat, shortening its lifespan with frequent use. Instead of charging at public DC fast charging stations, invest in a level 2 home charging station. It’s quick without sacrificing your battery’s longevity.
A licensed professional can install one in your garage and ensure it works efficiently. Here are the different EV charging levels explained to help you understand how level 2 charging differs from level 1 and DC fast charging.
Is EV Charging Cheaper Than Gas?
One of the reasons drivers are switching from gas to electric is to cut down on costs. But do the savings justify the investment?
On a national average, EV charging costs roughly 5 cents per mile. Meanwhile, a gas-powered vehicle costs around 15 cents per mile to operate.
So yes, EV owners are indeed putting away significant savings. Of course, your actual expenses will vary from the national average depending on various factors. That includes how and when you charge your EV, how much energy you consume and the cost of electricity in your area.
Aside from lower costs, there are other benefits to driving an EV.
Environmentally Friendly
You’re doing your part for the environment by driving an EV. They don’t emit pollutants, helping significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Less Maintenance
EV owners spend less on maintenance than those who drive gas-powered vehicles. Electric motors have fewer parts which translates to lower operating costs.
Enhanced Performance
Because electric motors are less complex than internal combustion engines, EVs boast faster acceleration than their gas-powered counterparts.
If you’re going electric, it’s worth investing in a home charging station for the most convenient experience. A licensed electrician can install one in your garage and ensure it’s working seamlessly.
Turn to the Pros to Handle Your EV Needs
Making the big switch from gas to electric can be daunting. Navigating EV charging is one of the challenges for drivers. Let licensed professionals help you with the transition. They can install a home charging station on your property so you can have the most convenient EV driving experience.
ABC Can Install a Home EV Charger
Can you imagine never having to go to a gas station ever again? You can enjoy all EVs’ benefits by having an electric vehicle and an in-home EV charger. ABC’s licensed electricians can help you decide on the best EV charger for your home and handle the EV charger installation so you can get on the road. They can also help with other electrical issues, like bad electrical panels.
