Skip to main content
Customer
Business
About us
Sign in

How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car in the UK? A Complete Guide

For decades, we’ve measured "refuelling" in minutes. Now that we are transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), the most common question is: "How long does it take to charge an EV?" The answer is, "it depends." Unlike a standard-size petrol tank, EV charging time can vary from 20 minutes to over 12 hours. This isn't a drawback; it's a new mindset. You're no longer just "filling up", you're charging at home, at work, or on the road. This guide explains the key factors that determine your EV charging time and provides more precise estimates so you can plan your journeys with confidence.

Factors That Influence EV Charging Time:

Before we look at average times, it's crucial to understand why they vary. The time it takes to charge your EV is a dynamic calculation based on several factors working together.

  1. Battery Size (in kWh): This is the most straightforward factor. Think of it as the size of your "fuel tank." A car with a large 80kWh battery will take longer to charge than a car with a 40kWh battery, given the same power source.
  2. Charger Power (in kW): This is the "speed" of the "fuel pump." A 7kW home charger delivers power much more slowly than a 150kW ultra-rapid public charger.
  3. Your Vehicle's Max Charging Rate: Your car has its own limits. It has a maximum AC charging rate (e.g., 7kW or 11kW) and a maximum DC charging rate (e.g., 100kW). Plugging a 100kW-max car into a 175kW charger will only result in a 100kW charge. The car is in control.
  4. State of Charge (SOC): A battery charges fastest when it's nearly empty. To protect the battery's health, the car's Battery Management System (BMS) significantly slows charging speed as it approaches full, especially after 80%. This is known as the "charging curve." Therefore, charging from 20% to 80% is much faster than charging from 80% to 100%.
  5. Battery and Ambient Temperature: Batteries are like humans; they have a preferred temperature range. If the battery is too cold (on a freezing winter day), the BMS will limit the charging speed to protect it until it warms up.

Average Charging Times by Charger Type

Let's put those factors into practice. Here are the typical EV charging times you can expect in the UK, based on the type of charger you're using. We'll use a 60kWh battery as our example, a standard size for many new EVs.

  1. Slow Charging (e.g., 3kW 3-pin plug)
    • Time (0-100%): ~20-22 hours
    • Time (20-80%): ~12 hours
  2. Fast Charging (e.g., 7kW home wallbox)
    • Best for: The default, everyday overnight charging at home.
    • Time (0-100%): ~8.5-9 hours
    • Time (20-80%): ~5 hours
      This is the "wake up with a full tank" method. You plug in when you get home, and it's ready by morning.
  3. Fast Charging (e.g., 22kW public AC)
    • Best for: Destination charging (supermarkets, gyms, work).
    • Time (20-80%): ~3.5 hours (with 11kW on-board)
  4. Rapid Charging (e.g., 50kW public DC)
    • Best for: The standard motorway service stop.
    • Time (20-80%): ~35-45 minutes
      This has been the backbone of the UK's charging network for years.
  5. Ultra-Rapid Charging (e.g., 150kW+ public DC)
    • Best for: Minimising wait times on busy days, urgent top-ups, or keeping you moving on long journeys.
    • Time (20-80%): 30 minutes or less (depending on what speed your EV can take)
      This is the real game-changer. For compatible vehicles, this makes EV charging feel almost as fast as a petrol stop.

How Battery Capacity Impacts Duration

Time (in hours) = Battery Size (in kWh) / Charger Power (in kW)

This is a simplified formula for a perfect world, as it doesn't account for the 80% slowdown or temperature.

Using this, you can see the relationship:

  • A 60kWh battery on a 50kW charger: 60 / 50 = 1.2 hours (for a full charge, in theory).
  • A 40kWh (smaller) battery on a 50kW charger: 40 / 50 = 0.8 hours.
  • An 80kWh (larger) battery on a 50kW charger: 80 / 50 = 1.6 hours.

The car with the larger battery takes longer to charge, but it will also have a longer range, meaning you'll need to stop less frequently. The key is to match the charge stop to your journey's need; you rarely need to charge from 0% to 100% on a public charger.

Ultra-Rapid Charging: Power in Minutes, Not Hours

The development of 150kW+ ultra-rapid charging is what makes long-distance EV travel truly effortless. These chargers are being installed at key locations, like Shell Recharge hubs, and are designed for high-turnover "en route" charging.

When your compatible car and a 150kW charger communicate, the charging time plummets. A 20-minute stop can add 150 miles or more of range. This is why many new EV owners find their "range anxiety" disappears after their first long-distance trip.

How Shell Recharge Helps Reduce Wait Times

We know that charging time isn't just about the 20 minutes your car is plugged in, as it's also about finding a free charger. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at a charge point to see it's in use or out of order.

The Shell App is designed to tackle this. It provides real-time charger availability, so you can find an EV charging point and check whether a charging spot is free before you even set off. You can plan your route, find a charger, and see that it's operational and ready for you, saving you time and giving you peace of mind.

Making Charging Work for You

The key to living with an EV is flexibility:

  • Base Charging: Whether at home or a destination, slower charging works in the background while you sleep or work.
  • On-the-Go Charging: Time is everything. This is where the public rapid network shines. It provides the freedom to drive where you want, ensuring you are never tethered to a single location.

By combining these options, you ensure your car is always ready. Public charging with Shell Recharge isn't just for long trips; it's for keeping you moving on busy days, offering ultra-rapid speeds that get you back on the road in the time it takes to grab a coffee and eat a snack.