Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity in India as a more sustainable alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles.
A major consideration for EV owners is how long it takes to charge the battery, especially for partial charges like 0-80%. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the factors that affect EV battery charge time and estimate charging times for popular EV models in India.
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EV Battery Charge Time: An In-Depth Overview of EV Charging
There are three main levels of EV charging:
- Level 1 – Uses a standard wall outlet (2-3 kW)
- Level 2 – Uses a 240V outlet (7-22 kW)
- DC Fast Charging – Direct current fast charging (50-350 kW)
The charging level used impacts charging speeds. Faster chargers deliver more power to replenish the battery quicker. However, the onboard charger in the EV controls the maximum power input, so a 50 kW DC fast charger may charge slower than the max power if the EV’s charger is limited to 22 kW.
In general, here are typical charging times from 0-80%:
- Level 1 – 18-30 hours
- Level 2 – 4-10 hours
- DC Fast Charging – 30-90 minutes
Now let’s look at some of the factors that affect EV charging times.
Read Also: Why Battery Capacity Matters for Purchasing EVs in India
Factors that affect EV charging times
Battery size
The size of the EV battery pack (kWh capacity) is a major factor. The larger the battery, the longer it will take to charge up. For example, a Hyundai Kona Electric with a 64 kWh battery will take longer to charge from 0-80% than a Tata Nexon EV with a 30 kWh battery.
Onboard charger capacity
The EV Battery Charge Time is Affected by Onboard Charger Capacity: Charging speed varies depending on the EV’s onboard charger capacity. For instance, a charger with a 6 kW capacity will result in slower charging compared to one with a 22 kW capacity, even if both EVs have the same battery size.
Charging power level
As mentioned earlier, a higher power level (Level 2 or DC fast charging) delivers more power for faster charging. So all else being equal, DC fast charging will always be the quickest way to charge from 0-80%.
Battery Chemistry
The battery chemistry affects the charge rate. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries can typically charge faster than nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries.
Battery temperature
EV batteries charge fastest at moderate temperatures, around 25°C. In very hot or cold conditions, the charge rate must be reduced to protect the battery. This can significantly increase charge times.
State of charge
The lower the starting state of charge, the faster the battery will charge. Charging from 0-80% will be quicker than charging from 50-80%. This is due to complex electrochemical reactions that occur during charging.
Charging Time Estimates for Popular EVs in India
Now let’s look at estimated 0-80% charging times for some popular EV models in India:
Tata Nexon EV
*Battery size: 30.2 kWh
*Onboard charger: 6.6 kW
*DC fast charging: Yes
- 0-80% charge time:
- Level 1: 18-24 hours
- Level 2: 6-8 hours
- DC fast charging: 60-90 mins
The Nexon EV Mid-Size Battery and Remarkable EV Battery Charge Time – 0-80% in Just 1-1.5 Hours with 30 kW DC Fast Charging
MG ZS EV
*Battery size: 44.5 kWh
*Onboard charger: 7 kW
*DC fast charging: Yes
- 0-80% charge time:
- Level 1: 28-32 hours
- Level 2: 8-10 hours
- DC fast charging: 60-90 mins
With a larger battery and a similar onboard charger to the Nexon EV, the ZS EV requires a slightly longer duration to reach 0-80% charge. Nevertheless, fast charging technology still allows for an 80% charge in approximately 1-1.5 hours, highlighting the importance of ‘EV Battery Charge Time.
Hyundai Kona Electric
*Battery size: 39.2 kWh
*Onboard charger: 7.2 kW
*DC fast charging: Yes
- 0-80% charge time:
- Level 1: 24-28 hours
- Level 2: 7-9 hours
- DC fast charging: 45-75 mins
The Kona Electric, despite its slightly smaller battery compared to the ZS EV, boasts a higher-capacity onboard charger. As a result, the EV battery charge time from 0-80% remains remarkably similar, typically taking around 1-1.5 hours for fast charging.
Tata Tigor EV
*Battery size: 26 kWh
*Onboard charger: 3.3 kW
*DC fast charging: No
- 0-80% charge time:
- Level 1: 20-26 hours
- Level 2: 8-11 hours
The Tigor EV’s EV Battery Charge Time Level 2 Charging, No DC Fast Charging, 8-11 Hours from 0-80%
Latest Developments in EV charging
Continual advances are happening in EV charging technology:
- Faster charging speeds – Charging power levels continue increasing, with some new EVs supporting 200+ kW fast charging. This can reduce charging times to 15-30 minutes for a 0-80% charge.
- Smart charging – New standards allow for smart, bidirectional charging. This allows for intelligent charging when electricity rates are lowest and enables EVs to feed power back to the grid.
- Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) – V2G allows EVs to return stored power to the electrical grid when needed. This helps stabilize and optimize the grid when demand fluctuates.
- Battery swapping – Some networks provide automated battery swapping stations, allowing an EV’s depleted battery to be quickly swapped for a fully charged one. This eliminates charging wait times.
- Solid-state batteries – Developing solid-state lithium batteries may provide faster charging capabilities and increased range and safety. These are still several years from mass production.
So while EV battery charge time today is reasonable for many users, continued innovation makes charging even faster and smarter. The user experience for EV owners in India keeps improving.
Charging Tips for EV Owners
Here are some tips for EV owners to optimize their charging experiences:
- When possible, charge during off-peak hours to avoid high electricity rates. Many power companies offer discounted EV charging rates at night.
- Use Level 1 charging for overnight top-offs when you don’t need a quick charge. It’s the most efficient and cheapest way to charge.
- Only use DC fast charging when you need to minimize charge times. These put the most strain on batteries.
- Charge more frequently instead of waiting for the battery to be almost empty. Shallow discharges help extend battery life.
- Preheating or cooling the battery while plugged in can speed up charging by bringing the battery to an optimal temperature.
- Stay with the EV during fast charging sessions to move the vehicle when fully charged.
Following these tips, you can maximize efficiency, lower charging costs, and extend your EV battery lifespan.
Conclusion
Charging an electric vehicle from 0-80% typically takes 1-1.5 hours using DC fast charging or 4-10 hours with a Level 2 charger.
The EV battery charge time is contingent on various factors, such as battery size, onboard charger capacity, battery chemistry, temperature, and more.
As charging technology advances and smart charging capabilities continue to improve, the overall experience of owning an electric vehicle (EV) will see enhancements in EV battery charge time.
Optimizing EV Battery Charge Time: Estimating 0-80% Charging Times for Popular Models in India and Proven Charging Process Tips
