In the past, charging an electric vehicle (EV) seemed like a monumental task. Nowadays, with public charging stations found abundantly in Nashua and Manchester, keeping your EV charged is easier than ever. What's more, you can charge from home in a variety of ways, so you'll never be tied to one single charging method.
Unfortunately, there isn't a universal answer when asking, "How long does it take to charge an electric car?" since electric car charging times vary depending on a number of factors. Today, Audi Stratham will help you explore various EV charging options to help you enjoy each Concord commute to the fullest!
What are My Electric Car Charging Options?
- Domestic Outlet Home Charging (Regular Outlet): While common, using a normal grounded (three-prong) 110V/120V charging outlet (Level 1 Charging) won't produce the fastest charging times. Generally, this method takes 24 hours for a full charge but can be effective for topping off the energy you used during your Portsmouth commute.
- Installed Brand-Approved Domestic Charging: With a quick and simple professional installation, you can bring home drastically improved charging times with a Level 2 charger. These charging stations use rapid chargers that are often brand-specific to deliver nearly 100% battery power in just a few hours.
- Public Charging: With services like Electrify America and PlugShare, finding EV chargers at stores, malls, hotels, and parking garages is simple. Electric car charging time and types will vary at these locations, but you'll generally find Level 2 chargers in public spaces.
Typical Domestic Charging Electric Car Charging Time
As you will likely do most of your charging at home, understanding domestic Level 1 and Level 2 charging is crucial. How long does it take to charge an electric car at home? Find out here:
- Level 1 EV charging often takes at least one full day or longer to produce a complete charge.
- Level 2 EV charging usually takes several hours to complete a full charge. However, you can often get between 60 and 200 miles of driving range in just 20-30 minutes of Level 2 charging. For this reason, most drivers treat their EV like any other device - think overnight charging with intermittent top-offs when needed.
If you drive a plug-in hybrid like the Audi Q5, you can look forward to much faster charging times. In most cases, a plug-in hybrid can be fully charged in 1-4 hours. This is due to the fact that hybrid vehicles have smaller batteries that are tasked with taking on less work.
Typical Public Charging Electric Car Charging Time
Most of the time, home charging setups offer 3.7 kW or 7 kW charging capabilities. In public, you'll typically find a variety of charging options, including 22 kW charging, 43-50 kW rapid charging, and 150 kW rapid charging. As a result, you may be able to reach a full charge in around an hour at some charging stations, while others may take up to 11 hours to charge your vehicle.
Find Your Electric Vehicle at Audi Stratham
Ready to find the right new EV for your budget and lifestyle? If so, Audi Stratham is the place to shop! Our EV inventory is ever-expanding, so you won't have to make any sacrifices when switching to an eco-friendly vehicle. If you have any lingering questions about EV charging times or our current inventory, contact us today! Our team would be happy to help you explore the benefits of driving an EV.
