How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
Andrew Koole
· 3 min read
Despite all the noise from automakers about an electric revolution, EV adoption remains extremely low in the U.S. Most consumers have yet to be convinced to take the plunge into plug-in powertrains.
One key reason for the hesitancy and the rejection of EV ownership is the struggle for a reliable charge. Some batteries take a night to fully recharge while others take days. The inconvenience of waiting for sufficient power has swayed many to stand by until the technology improves.
Charging options for EV owners
The length of time it takes to charge an EV changes dramatically. Based on the model you buy, the size of your battery, the charging system you use, and even the temperature outside, you could have a car that’s ready daily or one that’s constantly on the brink of dying.
Tesla’s system seems the most reliable at this point. The battery ranges it offers, along with the high-powered "Level 2" charging systems it provides owners for home and along highways across the country, translate into customers that maintain EV ownership.
While
Vice
says one in five EV driver buyers switched back to gas, that ratio was nearly cut in half amongst Tesla owners. Cars with smaller batteries or charging systems that relied on standard outlets were more likely to be traded in for a gas burner.MORE: Battery Range for Electric Vehicles Could Surpass 600 miles, Thanks to This Automaker
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Inroads in EV battery technology
Better charging stations make for a much easier EV ownership experience, but battery range is another barrier automakers are focused on removing.
Besides Tesla’s lineup,
Edmunds
says the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Hyundai Kona Electric, and the Porsche Taycan 4S are so far the only fully electric models with batteries that can exceed 300 miles on a single charge. But automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Rivian are competing to improve those numbers in the near future.Mercedes’ new concept car, the EQXX, promises to offer up to 620 miles on a single charge, thanks to a new battery and energy consumption improvements.
Other things to think about before switching to an EV
MORE: The Hidden Benefits of Owning an Electric Vehicle
As charging systems and battery ranges improve, more drivers are likely to transition off of gas. But if you want your next car to be an EV, there are a few other costs to consider.
Besides the higher than average price tag and the need to buy a sufficient charger, EV drivers usually rely on their dealers for maintenance and repairs, which can get expensive. You should also research the make and model to see if it has any history of battery fires before deciding to buy.
But there are many benefits to going electric. Charging costs much less than filling up at the gas station, and the simplicity of EV propulsion makes for fewer trips to the garage than for internal combustion engines. Tax incentives and
car insurance
discounts for electric cars can also bring the cost of ownership down.If you’re shopping for car insurance for your EV,
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