Level 2 Charging Times
How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV with a Level 2 Charger?
As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity, understanding the intricacies of EV charging becomes essential for current and prospective EV owners. One of the most common questions is: "How long does it take to charge an EV with a Level 2 charger?" This blog post aims to shed light on this question, helping EV owners and enthusiasts better understand the charging process and what to expect from a Level 2 charger.
Understanding Level 2 Chargers
Before diving into charging times, let's briefly overview what Level 2 chargers are. Level 2 chargers are a significant step up from the standard Level 1 chargers that can be plugged into a regular 120V household outlet. Level 2 chargers use a 240V power supply, the same type of outlet commonly used for heavy appliances like dryers and ovens in residential settings.
Factors Influencing Charging Time
The time it takes to charge an EV with a Level 2 charger can vary based on several factors:
- Battery Size: The larger the battery capacity of your EV, the longer it will take to charge. Battery size is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- State of the Battery: The charging time also depends on how depleted the battery is when you start charging.
- Charger Capacity: Level 2 chargers themselves vary in their output, typically ranging from 3.3 kW to 22 kW. The higher the charger's capacity, the faster it can charge your EV.
- Vehicle's Charging Capacity: Each EV has a maximum charging rate it can accept, which can limit how fast the battery can be charged regardless of the charger's capacity.
Average Charging Time with Level 2 Chargers
Given these variables, providing a one-size-fits-all answer is challenging. However, we can offer a general estimate:
- For most current EV models, a Level 2 charger typically adds about 25 to 35 miles of range per hour of charging.
- Considering an average EV battery size of around 60 kWh and a typical Level 2 charger output of 7.2 kW, charging a completely depleted battery to full can take approximately 8 to 10 hours.
- For a partially depleted battery, such as one at 50% capacity, the charging time would be correspondingly less.
Real-World Scenarios
In practice, most EV owners rarely wait for their battery to fully deplete before charging. Many find it convenient to charge their EVs overnight, ensuring a fully charged vehicle by morning. This routine is particularly feasible with Level 2 chargers, making them a popular choice for home charging solutions.