
An electric vehicle consumes approximately 45 kWh of electricity when charging for one hour. The amount of electricity required to charge an electric vehicle for one hour depends on the following two factors: 1. The total battery capacity of the electric vehicle. Each electric vehicle has a different total battery capacity—some have larger capacities, while others have smaller ones. Therefore, the amount of electricity consumed in one hour of charging depends on the size of the electric vehicle's battery capacity. 2. The power of the corresponding charging station. The power of the charging station also varies, depending on the BMS (Battery Management System) of the electric vehicle, which automatically matches the vehicle's battery capacity with the charging station's power to determine the charging power.

When considering the electricity consumption of electric vehicle charging, the key factor to focus on is power. The unit of power is kilowatts, and the electricity consumed in one hour is calculated by multiplying the power value by time, resulting in the number of kilowatt-hours. Ordinary home slow charging typically ranges between 3 to 7 kilowatts, consuming approximately 3 to 7 kilowatt-hours per hour. Fast charging stations can reach 50 to 150 kilowatts, using 50 to 150 kilowatt-hours in just one hour. Actual consumption may be slightly higher because charging efficiency isn't 100%, usually around 90%, so losses will cause the meter reading to exceed the theoretical value. Battery size also plays a role—for example, my car has a 40-kilowatt-hour battery, and slow charging for one hour can replenish at most about 10% of the battery. It's advisable to download a charging app to check the power, as different vehicle models and configurations vary significantly, and cold weather increases power consumption. In summary, electricity usage in one hour can range from a few kilowatt-hours to over a hundred, depending on the equipment you use.

After driving an electric car for over a year, I always calculate how many kilowatt-hours of electricity I use per charging hour. My home charging pile is about 7.2 kW, consuming 7.2 kWh in an hour. At our local electricity rate of 0.55 yuan per kWh, the cost is less than 4 yuan, which is quite economical. After commuting 50 km, charging for an hour at home can restore about 30 km of range, which feels very practical. I've tried public fast chargers with 50 kW power, consuming 50 kWh per hour. Although the electricity cost is higher, the quick replenishment is suitable for long trips. During charging, I pay attention to heat dissipation, as overheating can reduce efficiency and potentially affect battery lifespan. After developing the habit of charging at night, the hourly electricity cost doesn't hurt my wallet and is environmentally friendly. Reminder: check your vehicle's manual for compatible power ratings and avoid blindly using fast chargers to prevent energy waste.

Calculating the electricity cost for one hour of charging is straightforward: multiply the power by one hour and then by the local electricity rate. A standard home charger typically has a power output of about 6 to 11 kW, consuming 6 to 11 kWh in one hour. Assuming an electricity rate of 0.6 yuan per kWh, the cost ranges from 3.6 to 6.6 yuan. Compared to refueling, this expense is significantly lower, but there's an efficiency loss of around 10%, meaning the actual electricity consumption is about 10% higher. From an economic perspective, long-term savings are evident. While a full charge of a 60 kWh battery at home can only replenish a small amount of electricity in one hour, the annual electricity cost is about 30% lower than fuel expenses. Choosing slow charging is more cost-effective and reasonable.


