How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV?

There are several different options when it comes to charging your new Chevy electric vehicle in Birmingham, each with different plugs and ports, but with available, charging adapters you won’t be tied to one charging method. That said, the answer to the question, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” varies depending on which of these options you choose. Of course, how long your vehicle will take to charge also depends on what type, make, and model of EV you drive.

Different EVs have different battery packs with varying charging times equipped. In short, there’s too much variability to answer this question definitively with a one-size-fits-all answer. Still, we can help you learn more about the three main types of EV charging — domestic charging, rapid domestic charging, and public charging — and how your choice of each will ultimately determine your electric vehicle charging time. Want to learn more now? Read on or contact us!

Electric Car Charging Options in Birmingham 

Level 1 Charging: Domestic 110V/120V Outlet

Your new EV will come with a Level 1 charger. Most drivers keep this in the vehicle as a backup, rather than using it as a sole charging method. Level 1 chargers provide an estimated four miles of range per charging hour.

Installed Brand-Approved Level 2 Domestic Charging

Level 2 (240V+) chargers must be professionally installed and use can charge your EV much faster than level 1 chargers. Level 2 chargers provide an estimated 24 miles of range per charging hour.

Level 2 Public Charging

Level 2 public charging stations are more and more common around Vestavia Hills and Bessemer, and they provide similar charging speeds to level 2 home chargers. You can often find them at major retailers like Walgreens, Kohl’s, and Whole Foods, as well as at universities, hotels, and parking garages.

Level 3 Rapid Charging

Some public chargers offer 150 kW rapid charging, and these can power up your EV faster than any other charging method. However, they’re usually only available along major highways and freeways and cannot be installed at home. Level 3 chargers provide up to 60 to 100 miles of range per twenty minutes of charging.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Car Charging Time

Do you drive a plug-in hybrid? Your charging times could be much lower. Chances are this type of vehicle will take between 1-4 hours to fully charge. Why? Plug-in hybrid vehicles do not rely solely on electricity as an energy source! Often, they use electric range fully for a small amount of time or under certain speeds, then switch over to gasoline power. 

Typical Public Charging Electric Car Charging Time

Most home chargers offer 3.7 kW or 7 kW charging. Public stations, on the other hand, offer 22 kW charging, 43-50 kW rapid charging, and 150 kW rapid charging. As a result, for some applicable vehicles, you could foreseeably get a full charge (0-100%) in an hour or so. In other cases, it could take 4 hours, 6 hours, or 11 hours for a full charge. 

Find Your Electric Vehicle in Hoover

Ready to get matched with the perfect new EV for your unique needs? Browse our new Chevy Bolt EV inventoryonline now from the comfort of your home, then apply for financing so you can take home the hybrid or electric vehicle of your dreams sometime soon!