How long does it take to charge an electric car?

How fast your electric car charges depends on the speed of the chargepoint you’re using.

Most chargepoints fall into one of these groups, based on the kilowatt power output:

• Slow charger: 3-5kW
• Fast charger: 7-22kW
• Rapid charger: 25-99kW
• Ultra-rapid charger: 100kW+

Most electric cars can use fast or slow chargepoints, and lots can use rapid-charging as well. Ultra-rapid charging is less common.

Fast chargers

This is most common for home charging. It usually takes between three and eight hours to charge your car fully.

When you lease your first fully electric car on the Scheme, you can have a 7kW chargepoint installed at your home address at no extra cost.

Slow chargers

These are the second-most-common option. These can charge a battery in six-to-12 hours.

Rapid chargers

These typically charge a battery to 80% in around 40-60 minutes.

Ultra-rapid chargers

These can reach an 80% charge in around 20 minutes.

You’ll usually find chargepoints with rapid and ultra-rapid chargers at motorway services and locations close to major roads.