Contact Information
- Solahart Wollongong
- 96A Flinders Street
- Wollongong NSW 2500
- 1300 362 821
- info@solahartw.com.au
Solahart outlines how long it takes to charge an electric car and the factors affecting charging speed.
Charging time varies greatly, from just 8 minutes with a 350kW ultrarapid charger to over 48 hours with a portable charger. The time depends on the battery size and the charging point speed.
Data indicates a 0-100% charging time across different charging speeds.
| Vehicle | Empty to Full Charging Time | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Battery | Range | 15Amp | 7kW fast | 22kW fast | 60kW rapid | 150kW rapid | |
| Tesla Model Y | 75kWh | 480 km | 24 hrs | 11 hrs | 8 hrs | 1.25 hrs | 40 minutes | |
| BYD Atto 3 | 50kWh | 420 km | 17 hrs | 8.5 hrs | 8.5 hrs | 50 minutes | 35 minutes | |
| MG4 | 72kWh | 440 km | 12 hrs | 11 hrs | 7 hrs | 1.2 hrs | 38 mins | |
A 7kW home charger can fully charge a typical 60kWh electric car battery from empty in just under 8 hours, making it convenient to recharge overnight. A slower 3.7kW home charger would take approximately 16 hours for a full charge.
While 22kW home chargers are available, they are seldom used due to the requirement of three-phase power, which is uncommon in residential areas and costly to install.
Charging an electric car at a station can vary in time depending on the charger type. At a 150kW rapid charging station, a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery can go from empty to full in as little as 30 minutes or less. Using a 7kW public charger, this process takes under 8 hours, while a 22kW charge point can achieve the same in about 3 hours.
Rapid chargers provide the quickest charging times but at a higher cost, making them ideal for quickly getting back on the road. If time is not an issue, opting for a lower kW charger is more economical, allowing you to charge your car overnight or while running errands.
As an electric vehicle driver, knowing how many kilometers of range you gain while charging is essential for planning your trips.
| Charger Type | Range per Hour |
|---|---|
| 3.7kW slow | Up to 24 km |
| 7kW fast | Up to 48 km |
| 22kW fast | Up to 145 km |
| 43-50kW rapid | Up to 145 km in 30 mins |
| 150kW rapid | Up to 320 km in 30 mins |
The range added per hour varies depending on the efficiency of your car. Smaller full battery electric cars, such as the Renault Zoe, are highly efficient and can gain up to 48 km of range per hour when charging at 7kW. Larger electric vehicles, like the Audi e-tron Quattro, are heavier and get around 32 km of range per hour at 7kW. Plug-in hybrids are usually less efficient than full battery electric vehicles.
Efficiency also depends on environmental factors like temperature, meaning electric cars are generally more efficient and gain a slightly better range per hour in summer compared to winter.
Five key factors affect how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle:
1. Battery Size: A larger battery capacity (measured in kWh) will take longer to charge.
2. Battery State (empty vs. full): Charging from empty takes longer than topping up from 50%.
3. Vehicle’s Maximum Charging Rate: The vehicle can only charge as fast as its maximum rate allows. For instance, a vehicle with a max charge rate of 7kW won’t charge faster even if using a 22kW chargepoint.
4. Chargepoint’s Maximum Charging Rate: The charging speed is also limited by the chargepoint’s maximum rate. For example, a vehicle capable of charging at 11kW will still charge at only 7kW if that is the chargepoint’s limit.
5. Environmental Factors: Colder temperatures can slow down charging, especially with rapid chargers. Additionally, vehicles are less efficient in colder weather, adding fewer miles per charging session.
Solahart Wollongong sells and installs EV Chargers across the entire Illawarra region.
We can supply you a new charger or simply install a charger if you already have.
We install EV chargers for all popular electric vehicles including:
We also install chargers compatible with other car brands. Please get in touch with us if you’re considering buying an EV and we’ll answer any questions you have about charging.
BASTION GREEN PTY LTD (ABN 44 642 354 210), trading as Solahart Illawarra, operates the Solahart dealership in the region covering from Stanwell Tops to Kiama, Jamberoo, and Macquarie Pass. NSW Contractor Licence No. 371534C, Electrician Licence No. 250600C, Plumber Licence No. 374065C.
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At Solahart, we’re proud to be leading Australia’s solar charge. Helping smart Aussies make a real difference to the planet, reducing their reliance on the grid, cutting their energy bills, and connecting them to their smart energy future.
Since 1953, we’ve been the trusted name in Australian solar, installing over a million solar hot water systems in over 70 countries, and over 700,000 solar power panels in Australia.
