The amount of power an electric car uses to charge depends primarily on the battery size and the charging speed. On average, a full charge for a typical EV with a 64 kWh battery consumes about 64 kWh of electricity. However, daily charging is rarely a full cycle from 0-100%. Most drivers only replenish what they use daily, which might be 10-30 kWh. The power draw varies significantly between charging levels: a standard 120V household outlet adds about 1.3-1.9 kW, while a 240V Level 2 charger typically delivers 7-19 kW. DC fast chargers are the most powerful, operating at 50-350 kW, but are used for rapid top-ups during trips, not daily charging.
To understand your potential costs, you need to know your electricity rate (cost per kWh) and your vehicle's efficiency (miles per kWh). For example, if your electricity costs $0.15 per kWh and your car uses 0.3 kWh per mile, driving 100 miles would cost about $4.50. The table below shows the power and time required to add 100 miles of range to a relatively efficient EV (averaging 3.5 miles per kWh, requiring ~28.5 kWh).
| Charging Level | Typical Power (kW) | Approx. Time to Add 100 Miles | Common Location |
|---|
| Level 1 (120V) | 1.4 - 1.9 kW | 20 - 28 hours | Home Outlet |
| Level 2 (240V) | 7.2 - 11.5 kW | 2.5 - 4 hours | Home/Public |
| Level 2 (240V) | 19.2 kW | ~1.5 hours | Public/Commercial |
| DC Fast Charging | 50 - 150 kW | 12 - 40 minutes | Highway Stations |
| DC Fast Charging | 350 kW | Under 15 minutes | High-Power Hubs |
The key is to install a Level 2 charger at home if possible. This provides the most convenience and efficiency for daily use, allowing you to charge overnight when electricity rates may be lower. Using public DC fast charging should be reserved for long-distance travel, as frequent use can be more expensive and may slightly impact long-term battery health compared to slower charging methods. Your actual power usage will simply be your monthly mileage divided by your car's efficiency (miles/kWh).
