How Long Does it Take to Charge an EV at Home?

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a cleaner, more efficient way to get around, but many drivers still have questions about charging times. In this blog, we’ll break down what influences charging duration and explore how long it actually takes to charge an EV at home, focusing primarily on AC charging.

What Affects EV Charging Time?

When it comes to charging an EV, you might see anything from as little as 30 minutes (using a rapid DC charger) to over 48 hours (with a slow portable charger). Three main factors determine how quickly your battery charges:

  1. Vehicle battery size – Larger batteries take longer to charge.
  2. Charger power output (charging speed) – Higher kW ratings generally mean faster charging.
  3. Onboard charger capability – Each EV has a maximum AC charging rate that it can accept.

For instance, a 70kWh EV battery can take around 10 hours to fully charge on a 7kW AC charger, whereas the same vehicle could charge in under an hour if you have access to a 75kW DC charger.

Note: While DC chargers enable ultra-fast charging, they are more commonly used in commercial or public settings (e.g., highway rest stops, shopping centers). For everyday home use, AC charging is preferred due to compatibility with residential power supplies.

How Long to Fully Charge an EV?

Charging from empty to full at home can vary based on your charger’s output. Although the table below shows estimated times for a full charge, it’s best practice to top up regularly rather than waiting until your battery is empty. You’ll also often hear advice to charge up to around 80% because charging rates slow down significantly past 80%, and staying below 100% can improve battery longevity.

Vehicle Vehicle Spec Empty to Full Charging Time

Model

Charging Speed

Battery

Range

2.4kW slow

3.5kW slow

7kW fast

11kW fast
Tesla Model Y Long Range
11 kW
75 kWh
551 km
35 hours
24 hours
11 hours
8 hours
BYD Atto 3
7 kW
60 kWh
420 km
25 hours
18 hours
8 hours
8 hours
Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD
11 kW
91 kWh
550 km
38 hours
27 hours
14 hours
9 hours
Nissan Leaf
6.6 kW
40 kWh
270 km
17 hours
12 hours
7 hours
7 hours

What is Range Added per Hour of Charging?

Rather than focusing on a full charge from empty, you might prefer to consider how much driving range you can add per hour of charging. This is especially useful if you only drive a modest distance each day. Use the table below to estimate which charger output might be right for your lifestyle:

Range Added per Hour of Charging

2.4kW slow

3.5kW slow

7kW fast

22kW fast
10 km
20 km
40 km
120 km

How to Choose the Right Charging Speed?

Most homes in New Zealand and Australia use a single-phase power supply, which typically supports up to 7kW charging. To go beyond 7kW, a three-phase power supply is required. However, your EV’s onboard charger also plays a crucial role. Some vehicles, such as the BYD Atto 3, have a maximum AC charging rate of 7kW—so even if you install an 11kW or 22kW charger, you won’t charge faster than 7kW if that’s all your car supports.

Additionally, since most New Zealanders drive less than 50 km per day, an overnight charge with a 3.5kW portable or a 7.4kW wall-mounted charger is usually sufficient for daily needs.

If you’re choosing between a 3.5kW portable charger and a 7.4kW wall-mounted unit, consider whether you prioritize simplicity and lower upfront costs or prefer a more future-proof setup offering smart scheduling to take advantage of off-peak or free electricity periods. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your driving habits, long-term plans, and budget. Explore our charger solutions below for more details.

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