How long does it take to charge an electric car?

The time it takes to charge an electric car can vary depending on several factors, including the type of charging point used, the size of the vehicle's battery, and the amount of charge required.

For individuals with off-street parking, recharging their electric cars can be done either with a common household three-pin plug or a specially designed EV charging station. The former, however, can take upwards of 8 hours to completely charge the car, based on the battery's capacity and the amount of power required.

In contrast, a dedicated home charging point offers faster and more practical options. It can charge the vehicle to its fullest in just 4 hours and provides a secure way to charge your car while you sleep.

For those without access to a home charging station, public charging is a practical alternative. The UK boasts a growing network of public charging options, including rapid and fast chargers.

Rapid chargers (including those found on the Osprey network) are the quickest and most efficient choice, with the capability to fully charge a car in as little as 30 minutes. They are perfect for topping off your battery during a long trip or for quickly adding charge during a short stop.

Fast chargers, on the other hand, take longer to charge an electric vehicle, typically between 4 to 8 hours. Although slower than rapid chargers, they are more cost-effective and suitable for overnight charging or for topping up the battery when time is not a pressing issue. Fast chargers are often found on-street or at longer-stay car parks.

The size of the vehicle's battery is another factor that can affect the time it takes to charge an electric car. A larger battery will take longer to charge than a smaller battery, but it will also have a longer range, meaning that you won't need to charge as often.

For example, a small electric car with a 30kWh battery may take 4 hours to charge using a fast charger, while a larger electric car with a 60kWh battery could take up to 8 hours to charge using the same charger.

The time is takes to charge your electric vehicle can also be affected by your State of Charge - the speed of charging can vary throughout a charging session. When your battery is at around 20% and 80% your EV will pull power from the charger at a faster rate compared to when the battery is very empty or nearly fully charged, this is known as the Charging Curve.

To optimise charging your EV on the public network we recommend only charging up to 80%. This will get you back on the road faster by taking advantage of your fastest charging window - and at ultra-rapid chargers like those on the Osprey network you can charge to 80% in around 30 minutes.