How long does it take to charge a pure electric vehicle?
3 Answers
Generally, it takes 15-20 hours to fully charge a pure electric vehicle. Taking a 12V60Ah battery as an example, the charging method is as follows: Use constant voltage and current limiting for charging. Charge at a constant voltage of 14.8V and a current limit of 15A for 16 hours, then charge at a constant current of 3A for 4 hours, totaling 20 hours to fully charge the battery. You can determine if the battery is fully charged based on the following phenomena, or observe the battery eye turning green, which indicates a full charge. You can determine if the battery is fully charged based on the following phenomena, or observe the battery eye turning green, which indicates a full charge: 1. A large number of bubbles are generated inside the battery, creating a "boiling" phenomenon; 2. The terminal voltage rises to the maximum value and no longer increases within two hours; 3. The electrolyte level rises to the highest position and no longer increases within two hours.
I've always been interested in electric vehicle charging technology. Charging time depends on various factors. The most basic method is using a standard household socket with only 2-3kW power output. For a small 50kWh battery vehicle, a full charge might take around 20 hours, which is suitable for overnight charging. If you upgrade to a home charging station with 7-22kW power, the same vehicle can be fully charged in just 4-5 hours. I have one installed at home - just plug in overnight and wake up to a fully charged car, super convenient. Public DC fast chargers are even more efficient, offering 50-350kW power. I've tried Tesla's 150kW Supercharger station before - it only takes 25 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%, giving me hundreds of kilometers of range while I take a break. Larger batteries like 100kWh models take longer to charge fully, but charging speed is also affected by vehicle design and ambient temperature (it can be 15% slower in cold weather). However, with rapid technological advancements, newer models support higher power charging, continually reducing charging times. For daily use, I recommend home charging to save time and money, reserving fast chargers for travel emergencies.
I've been driving a pure electric car for over two years, and charging time is really no big deal. For daily commuting, with a battery capacity of about 60kWh, I just plug it into my home 7kW charger when I get back in the evening. It's fully charged in five to six hours, perfectly timed with my sleep schedule, so I can drive off immediately in the morning without any hassle. On weekends when taking the kids out for trips, I look for fast-charging stations on long drives. Once on the highway, I used a 150kW charger and got 80% charge in just 30 minutes, enough for 400 kilometers. We took the opportunity to grab a quick meal, making it effortless. I think the key is habit and planning: new car batteries charge quickly when healthy, though they may slow down as they age; home charging is almost free, while fast charging outside costs a bit but saves time. Normally, I'm in no rush and only use fast charging when traveling. Charging time has never disrupted my life.
