How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

Ready to take the plunge with electric vehicle ownership in Raleigh? You probably have many questions as you do your research because buying a vehicle is a big investment. One of your questions might be, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” 

Unlike filling up your gas tank, charging your electric car takes a bit longer. But, you save a ton of cash in the long run around Cary, whether you’re charging a Tesla, BMW, Chevy, Honda EV, or plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Electric car charging times depend on a few factors. In the following guide, Anchor Auto Outlet will cover this and more as we answer the question, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” 

How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

Your electric car charging time depends on four factors:

• Make and Model of Your EV: It depends on the technology in place as to the electric car charging time.
• Battery Size: Smaller batteries have shorter charging times while larger batteries have longer charging times. 
• Charging Level: There are three types of charging levels available.
• The Charge in Your Battery: An EV battery that’s 80% full will come to a full charge faster than one that’s at 25% capacity.

Electric Car Charging Options in Durham 

Level 1 Charging: Domestic 110V/120V Outlet

Your new EV will come with a Level 1 charger, which works on a standard home outlet. It’s the slowest charging time. Level 1 chargers provide an estimated three to five miles of range per hour.

Installed Brand-Approved Level 2 Domestic Charging

Level 2 (240V+) chargers must be professionally installed by a qualified electrician. They can charge your EV or PHEV much faster than level 1 chargers, often from 0 to 100% overnight while you sleep. Level 2 chargers provide an estimated 12 to 80 miles of range to your EV per hour.

Level 2 Public Charging

Level 2 public charging stations are becoming more common in Cary. They provide similar charging speeds to level 2 home chargers. You can often find them at major retailers, universities, banks, and apartment complexes.

Level 3 Rapid Charging

Some public chargers offer 150 kW rapid charging. These are only found at specialized public stations on major highways or in urban centers. They have a much higher voltage than other types of chargers. Level 3 chargers provide up to 60 to 100 miles of range per twenty minutes of charging. These chargers are perfect for road trips.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Car Charging Time

Did you ever drive a plug-in hybrid? Charging times are often much lower because the batteries are smaller. PHEVs drive on electricity and gasoline, and they’re perfect for short-distance commutes that use no gasoline whatsoever. Once the battery is out of juice, the gasoline-powered engine kicks in. 

Find Your Electric Vehicle Near Durham

Ready to find your perfect EV? Contact us or call 919-651-0051 to schedule a test drive with our team. With our great selection of pre-owned EVs, you’ll be able to transition into a more environmentally friendly form of driving around Raleigh. 

Make sure to look over our pre-owned vehicle specials to see how much money you could save on your purchase. Explore the world of all-electric driving in Cary with Anchor Auto Outlet!