How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Vehicle?

Milwaukee drivers considering making the switch to an electric vehicle often wonder about their options for charging an EV; more specifically: “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” The electric car charging time varies depending on several factors, including the type of charger, type of plug, and type of port your vehicle uses. The vehicle itself and its battery specs are also important factors.

Different EVs come with various battery packs that have distinct charging times. Therefore, it’s challenging to provide a definitive answer that applies to all vehicles. Nevertheless, we can guide you through the three main types of EV charging — domestic charging, rapid domestic charging, and public charging — and explain how your choice will impact your charging time. Want to learn more now? Read on or contact us,and let our finance department know how we can get you behind the right EV today! Find out more about electric car charging time with the team at Heiser Chevrolet of West Allis!

Electric Car Charging Options in Milwaukee 

• 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 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 Wauwatosa and New Berlin, 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.

Be sure to inquire about a test drive of one of our other electric vehicles.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Car Charging Time

Do you drive a plug-in hybrid? If so, your charging times could be significantly shorter. Typically, these vehicles take between 1 to 4 hours to fully charge. Why is this? Plug-in hybrid vehicles don’t rely solely on electricity; they use a combination of electric power and gasoline. Often, they operate on electric power for short distances or at lower speeds before switching to gasoline.

Typical Public Charging Electric Car Charging Time

So, how long does it take to charge an electric car? Most home chargers provide 3.7 kW or 7 kW charging. In contrast, public stations offer more powerful options: 22 kW charging, 43-50 kW rapid charging, and 150 kW rapid charging. Depending on your vehicle, this means you could achieve a full charge (0-100%) in about an hour with rapid charging. Alternatively, it might take 4, 6, or even 11 hours to fully charge your vehicle, depending on the charging method and your car’s battery capacity.

Find Your Electric Vehicle Near New Berlin

Are you ready to explore our lineup of electric vehicles, such as the Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV? Be sure to inquire about our Chevrolet EV Pre-Paid Maintenance and Chevrolet EV Protection Plan. Save time when you get pre-approved for financing and see how much you can save when you browse our new vehicle specials before you visit our West Allis showroom!