Electric cars are rapidly hitting the market. These newly introduced commercial vehicles are an important step towards a greener and cleaner future. The hassle of the process doesn’t just end with buying an electric car, the user should have enough knowledge about all the aspects of it, like its pricing, charging, and driving. Thus, understanding the charging procedure and the time it takes to replenish the battery is essential to owning an electric car.

Moving toward the charging aspect, it’s important to get the idea that charging an electric car can take up to half an hour or as much as more than two days. The time consumed for charging is dependent on various factors like the battery size, maximum capacity of the battery, charging capacity of the charging outlet, and lastly, temperature. In this article, we will examine the factors that affect how long electric cars take to charge, as well as the various charging methods and state-of-the-art technology that are influencing the EV scenario, and give you a complete guide on how long does it take to charge an electric car.

Also Read: Top 6 Electric Cars In India Under 10 Lakhs

What Factors Impact Electric Car Charging Speed?

The speed at which electric cars can be charged is subject to numerous factors that play a pivotal role in the efficiency and convenience of recharging these vehicles. From the type of charger deployed to the capacity of the EV’s battery and the prevailing environmental conditions. This article aims to delve into the diverse elements that influence the charging speed of electric cars, offering valuable insights to contribute to a better understanding of this rapidly evolving technology. Below are the major elements that determine electric car charging speed:

• Battery Size: The potential of an electric car battery to store energy and power the vehicle is the most essential factor that influences the charging speed. Because of the size of the battery, two vehicles charging under identical conditions have differing charging times. The car with the smaller battery size will require less time than the vehicle with the larger battery size.
• Maximum Battery Capacity: It’s critical to note the maximum battery capacity of that electric car’s specific battery. Regardless of the charger’s charging speed, the battery will only be charged to its full capacity. Different car models have different battery sizes and maximum capacities. For instance, the Tata Nexon EV boasts a 30.2 kWh battery capacity, while the Mahindra eKUV100 features a 15.9 kWh battery capacity.
• State of Charge (SoS): The time it takes to charge an electric automobile also depends on its level of charge; if the battery is half charged, it will take less time to charge to full capacity than an empty battery.
• Temperature: It can have an impact on battery charging efficiency because batteries are temperature-sensitive, very cold or hot weather conditions may result in slower charging times. Both EV charging stations and electric cars become less efficient when they majorly involve delivering, receiving, and spending energy in frigid conditions.
• Charging Rate of Charging Point: The charging rate at a charging point is essentially the speed at which an electric vehicle (EV) replenishes its battery’s charge. Measured in kilowatts (kW), it determines how quickly an EV can gain additional mileage or range. Charging points vary in their charging rates, with slower chargers providing a lower kW rate, around 3.7 kW, while faster chargers can offer higher rates of 50 kW or more. For EV owners, the charging rate significantly impacts the time needed for a full or partial recharge of their vehicle’s battery.

Major Electric Car Charging Methods Used In India

Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers in India are tailored to suit diverse charging requirements. These chargers encompass both Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) variations.

• AC Chargers: These chargers commonly operate using a standard 15A household socket at 230 volts, providing a modest power output of 1.9 kW. They’re usually situated in residential environments and charge EVs at a slower pace, ideal for overnight charging sessions and are found predominantly in commercial places.
• DC Chargers: Positioned in public charging stations and designed for longer journeys, these chargers are powerful, providing a charging capacity of 50 kW or more. They allow rapid top-ups, making them beneficial for scenarios requiring swift recharging. These are fast chargers that charge almost in less than an hour and vehicles run for a long time. These varied charger types address different charging needs and contribute to the accessibility and flexibility of EV charging infrastructure in India. The combination of AC and DC chargers accommodates the diverse charging requirements of EV owners across the country.
• GB/T Charger: It’s recommended by the Indian Government under DC charging and gives an output like 10-15kW for less powered EVs.
• Combined Charging System (CCS): It has been predominantly utilized for DC fast charging in the country. This which integrates both AC and DC charging capabilities in one port, has seen broader implementation and support within India’s charging infrastructure.

Which Technological Advancements Affect EV Charging Speed?

Other than the aforementioned factors and the levels of charging, various technological breakthroughs also play a role in determining how long it takes to charge an electric car. Producers, researchers, and technology firms are always attempting to enhance charging technology to overcome the issues connected with EV charging. Now, apart from the advancements in technology, the user schedule of charging should be kept in mind while determining the time taken for an electric car to charge. A few technological advancements have made their way to replace traditional charging and make the EV charging process faster are mentioned below.

• High Power Charging: Charging ports with larger power outputs have evolved, capable of giving ultra-fast charging rates. These stations may considerably shorten charging times, making long-distance travel more practical for electric car users.
• Battery Switching: It’s a new technique in which drained EV batteries are swapped out for completely charged ones at designated stations. This procedure may be significantly faster than any traditional charging procedure and may open the door to a fast charging experience for electric car owners.
• Inductive Charging: New charging pads have evolved that offer wireless charging. In this method, the driver does not have to use any conventional charger and plug it into the car, instead, they just have to park the car in a charging pad. The charging will automatically take place faster through the induction method.

User Schedule Of Charging Habits

The charging habits and schedule of the car owner determine the time consumed to charge an electric car in India. There are mainly two types of conventional charging habits about which we have described below.

• Top-Up Charging: A rapid way to charge your electric car for a short amount of time. It’s ideal for when you need to add a small charge to travel to your next location. Simply connect your electric car to an ordinary home socket to power it up. The charging time can vary based on the brand and type of your automobile, but a common household outlet will generally take roughly 8 hours to completely charge a car. To top-up is not letting the battery deplete completely and keep charging it to the full potential whenever possible in a public rapid charging station or at home.
• Overnight Charging: The slowest way to charge your electric automobile, but it is the most efficient. It’s ideal for when you don’t need to rush and want to get the most out of your battery. With a slow charging rate of around 1.9kW, many EV owners prefer overnight charging at their places.

Also Read: Rapid Development Of Electric Scooter Charging Station

Conclusion

Understanding the charging time of an electric car is critical for a to-be owner or an existing user. With an already expanding charging infrastructure and technological advancements of EV cars in India, it has become easier for people to integrate electric cars seamlessly into their lives. The various factors like battery size, maximum capacity, temperature, etc. Levels of charging and techniques like wireless charging, battery swapping, and high-power charging, are all simple answers to the most common question among electric car users on how long it takes to charge an electric car. In this article, we have given you an easy guide through all the determining factors and helped empower you to contribute towards a sustainable automotive future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) How many km can an electric car go on one charge?

Ans: The range an electric car can travel on a single charge typically varies from approximately 100 to 500 kilometers. This range is influenced by several factors, primarily the battery capacity of the vehicle and external conditions such as temperature.

Q) How long does an electric car battery last?

Ans: Maximum around 20 years, as per the latest predictions. Battery lives are being improved every day with technology and science. In no time, we would have a longer battery life, which would make life easier.