How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

Electric vehicles are becoming more popular around Edmonton and with good reasons. They’re cheaper to own than gas, and there might be some incentives to purchase one of these outstanding EVs for your Sherwood Park journeys. Have you seen one of the Hummer EVs on our lot? They leave you with a lasting impression. 

One question at the top of your mind could be, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” It’s not quite like a 10-minute stop at the gas station unless you find the fastest charging type in Leduc. But you can have the convenience of charging your EV or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) at home.

Electric car charging times depend on a few factors. Our detailed guide answers the question, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” And we’ll go over the three types of charging available to you in St. Albert and beyond.

How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car or Electric Vehicle? 

Your electric car charging time depends on four main factors.

• Make, model, and year of your EV. The electric car charging time may change based on your exact vehicle. Older EVs with older technology may have different charging times than newer ones. The platform on which the EV battery is built may also affect the charging times.
• Size of the battery. Smaller batteries have shorter charging times and larger batteries have longer charging times. However, smaller batteries have shorter ranges and larger batteries have longer ranges (in general). So, there is a trade-off. PHEV batteries charge faster because they are smaller than batteries in full EVs. 
• Charging level. There are three types of charging levels available, which we will discuss in a moment.
• How much charge is left in your battery: An EV battery that’s 80% full will come to a full charge faster than one that’s at 25% capacity. 

Electric Car Charging Options in Edmonton 

Now, we’ll cover the electric vehicle charging options currently available:

Level 1 Charging: Domestic 110V/120V Outlet

Your new EV will come with a Level 1 charger, which works on a standard home outlet. It’s the slowest charging time. Level 1 chargers provide an estimated 5 to 8 km of range per hour.

Installed Brand-Approved Level 2 Domestic Charging

Level 2 (240V+) chargers must be professionally installed by a qualified electrician. But don’t worry, the cost of installation is well worth it due to the lower cost of fueling your EV. Level 2 units can charge your EV or PHEV much faster than level 1 chargers, often from 0 to 100% overnight while you sleep. Level 2 chargers provide an estimated 19 to 125 km of range to your EV per hour.

Level 2 Public Charging

Level 2 public charging stations are becoming more common in Edmonton. They provide similar charging speeds to level 2 home chargers. You can often find them at major retailers, universities, banks, and apartment complexes. You can download an app to your phone or use several online mapping tools to locate public charging stations.

Level 3 Rapid Charging

Some public chargers offer 150 kW rapid charging. These are only found at specialized stations situated near major highways or in urban centers. They have a much higher voltage than other types of chargers, and you’ll never find these types of chargers in a home installation. Level 3 chargers provide up to 97 to 160 km of range after just 20 minutes of charging. These chargers are perfect for summer road trips or when you need to travel far from home.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Car Charging Time

Perhaps you’re not ready to have a full EV. That’s okay because you can still get benefits from EVs thanks to plug-in hybrids. Charging times for PHEVs are often much lower because the batteries are smaller. PHEVs drive on electricity and gasoline, and they’re perfect for short-distance commutes that use no gasoline whatsoever. Once the battery runs out, the gasoline motor automatically takes over. PHEVs often have total ranges that rival gasoline-only vehicles. If you have a relatively short commute, you might not need to fill up on gas for well over a week.

Find Your Electric Vehicle for Sale at Capital GMC Buick

Ready to find your perfect EV? Call 825-901-4058 to schedule a test drive at your convenience. Also, look over our new vehicle specials to see how much cash you could save on your purchase.