Thinking about going electric but stuck on the big question: “Yeah, but how long does it take to charge?” You’re not alone. Unlike a splash-and-dash at the petrol pump, EV charging depends on the charger, the car, the battery size - even the weather.
We’ll cut through the noise and give you the real charging times you can expect in the UK.
Straight answers, clear comparisons, and everything you need to decide if an EV fits your lifestyle.
And if you want to make charging as easy as overnight Netflix binges? A smart home charger is the way to go - and Heatable can get you sorted with a fixed-price install, no hidden extras, get your quote in seconds here.
EV Charging at a Glance ⚡️
Charge time varies from 30 mins – 12 hrs, but most drivers do a “top up charge”.
Times depend on types - Slow (8–12 hrs), Fast (3–6 hrs), Rapid (40–60 mins), Ultra (15–30 mins).
Sweet spot is 10–80% = quickest + best for battery.
Home (7–15p/kWh) vs Public Rapid (60–85p/kWh).
100 miles top-up: 3–4 hrs (Slow) - 10–15 mins (Ultra).
Influencing factors include weather, charging curve, car limits, queues.
Best bet: Hypervolt home charger = cheap, easy, reliable.
The Short Answer vs The Long Answer
The short answer? Charging an electric car can take anywhere from around 30 minutes to 12 hours.
The long answer? It depends on three things: the charger speed (slow, fast, rapid, or ultra-rapid), the size of your car’s battery, and where you’re plugging in - whether that’s your driveway, the supermarket, or a motorway service station.
The good news is you don’t have to sit around scratching your head. We’ll break it down by charger type so you’ll know exactly what to expect in the real world…
Charger Types & Charging Times
Not all chargers are born equal - some are perfect for an overnight snooze, others will have you back on the road before you’ve finished your coffee.
Here’s how long it really takes to top up a 60kWh battery (your typical Nissan Leaf, VW ID.3, or similar):
Slow (3–7kW) - the trusty home wallbox or those random lamppost chargers. 8–12 hours for a full tank of electrons. Brilliant for overnight, utterly useless if you’re late for work.
Fast (7–22kW) - found in supermarket car parks, workplaces, or swanky home installs. Around 3–6 hours. Perfect for a weekly shop, less so if you’re clock-watching.
Rapid (50–149kW) - the motorway heroes. 10–80% in 40–60 minutes. Grab a Costa, stretch your legs, and you’re good to go.
Ultra-Rapid (150kW+) - the big dogs. Tesla Superchargers and premium hubs that’ll pump you from 10–80% in 15–30 minutes. Not everywhere yet, but once you’ve tried one you’ll never look back.
Source: Zapmap, UK charging infrastructure 2025.
Here’s a quick table to make sense of it:
Charger Type | Power (kW) | Time to Charge 60kWh (10%-80%) | Where You’ll Find It |
Slow | 3-7 | 8-12 hours | Home, residential streets |
Fast | 7-22 | 3-6 hours | Supermarkets, car parks |
Rapid | 50-149 | 45-60 minutes | Motorway services |
Ultra-Rapid | 150+ | 20-30 minutes | Dedicated EV hubs |
Battery Size & State of Charge
It’s tempting to think a bigger battery automatically means longer charging - but that’s only half the story.
Sure, a 100kWh Tesla Model S will take longer overall than a 40kWh Nissan Leaf, but charging speed isn’t just about size.
The real trick lies in the state of charge. EVs charge fastest between 10% and 80%.
That’s because of something called the charging curve: when the battery is low, it can take on power quickly; but as it fills up, the car deliberately slows the flow to protect the cells and prevent overheating.
Here’s the thing: going from 80% to 100% can take almost as long as 10% to 80%.
That’s why most EV drivers rarely bother pushing to 100% unless they’re about to hit a long motorway run with no charging stops in sight.
Think of it like pouring a pint - you can fill the first three-quarters in seconds, but you’ve got to ease off at the top or you’ll end up with froth everywhere. Same logic, fewer soggy beer mats.
Unless you’re desperate for the extra miles, stick to charging in that 10–80% sweet spot. It saves you time, keeps your battery healthier long-term, and gets you back on the road quicker.
Home Charging vs Public Charging
In the UK, home charging is where it’s at. Stick a 7kW Hypervolt on your drive (the very ones Heatable installs), plug in overnight, and your EV’s good to go by morning.
A typical 60kWh battery (think Nissan Leaf or VW ID.3) takes around 8–10 hours - sorted while you’re snoring.
Public charging, on the other hand, is more of a mixed bag:
Fast chargers (7–22kW) - you’ll find these dotted around Tesco, Sainsbury’s and retail parks. Great for a cheeky top-up while you shop, but not much use if you’re in a hurry.
Rapid chargers (50–149kW) - common at motorway services. Expect 10–80% in about 40–60 minutes. Just enough time for a Greggs and a loo stop.
Ultra-rapid chargers (150kW+) - the big guns. Tesla Superchargers and high-power hubs that can push you from 10–80% in 15–30 minutes. Coverage is patchy, but they’re a lifesaver on long hauls.
The clincher? Cost. With a smart off-peak tariff, UK home charging can be as low as 7–15p per kWh, while public rapid chargers usually sting at 60–85p per kWh. That’s roughly £5 vs £30 to add the same mileage.
To conclude: if you’ve got a driveway, a Hypervolt home charger isn’t just convenient - it’s essential for keeping running costs down and your EV life hassle-free.
Real-World Example: Adding ~100 Miles
Say you’re in a VW ID.3 (60kWh battery) and want to add about 100 miles (≈20–25kWh). Here’s how the different charger types compare in the UK:
Charger Type | Power Output | Time to Add ~ 100 Miles | Best For |
Slow | 7kW | 3-4 hours | Overnight at home |
Fast | 22kW | 1-1.5 hours | Supermarket or gym stop |
Rapid | 50kW | 20-30 minutes | Motorway services pit stop |
Ultra-Rapid | 150kW+ | 10-15 minutes | Long trips, quick turnaround |
Factors That Affect Charging Times
Alright, here’s where it gets properly real-world. Charging times aren’t always as neat as the spec sheet suggests.
A few things can throw a spanner in the works:
[1] Weather
Batteries hate the cold. In a typical British winter, you could be waiting 10–20% longer for the same charge.
Why? Cold batteries can’t accept power as quickly, so the car slows things down to protect itself.
On the flip side, blazing hot weather isn’t much better - the system may throttle charging to keep the battery cool.
[2] Charging Curve
EVs love a quick gulp when they’re empty, but slow right down as they get full.
Most cars hit their fastest speeds between 10% and 50%, then ease off after 80%.
Think pouring a pint: the first half’s quick, the last inch takes forever (and you don’t want froth everywhere).
[3] Onboard Charger Limits
It’s not just about the plug - your car decides how much juice it can take.
Got a Leaf with a 7kW onboard charger? It won’t matter if you’re plugged into a 22kW post - you’ll only ever see 7kW.
[4] Charger Availability
Public infrastructure isn’t perfect. Zapmap’s 2025 stats show roughly 1 in 10 UK chargers are either offline or in use when you need them.
Cue the awkward wait at Tesco car park while you eye up the only free space hogged by someone already at 80%.
Conclusion: Charging times vary. The spec sheet might say “30 minutes,” but in the real world, expect it to sometimes take a bit longer.
The smart move? Home charging with a Hypervolt -reliable, predictable, and waiting for you every morning.
Sources: Ofgem & Zapmap, UK EV charging reliability 2025.
Next Steps For Your EV Charger Journey:
When planning to install an EV charger for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section or check out our YouTube channel for informative videos.
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