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How long does it take to charge an electric car?

I keep hearing about all these new electric cars, and I’m thinking of buying one to help cut my emissions. However, I just saw something about electric cars taking hours and hours to charge back up instead of minutes like it is with gas. Is that true?

avatar
Hannah DeWitt · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! The world of
electric vehicles
(EVs) is quickly evolving, so it can be hard to keep track of all the new information and innovations that are being made. Charging times can differ depending on what kind of charging technology you have access to, though the fastest chargers can give you 80% battery in around 30 minutes.
If you can charge your EV at home, you’ll have access to either a Level 1 or a Level 2 charging system. Most electric cars actually come with a Level 1 charger, which just plugs into any 120-volt outlet. However, with this ease of access comes the slowest charging times. These chargers have less voltage capacity, so Level 1 charging usually takes over 17 hours for a 100-mile charge, which likely isn’t even a full tank.
Level 2 chargers are faster, but they need to be installed in a house. They are also commonly used at public charging stations. These chargers have higher voltage, around 208-240 volts, so Level 2 systems can fully recharge a standard EV battery in 5-6 hours.
The
fastest chargers
available currently are Level 3 chargers, also known as DC fast chargers. Level 3 chargers can get an EV battery up to 80% power capacity in just 30 minutes. However, these are currently only available as public chargers and are unavailable for homes due to the high voltage necessary to support them.
If you’re planning on investing in a new EV, make sure it’s protected.
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